tư tình
Definition
- Noun:
- Illicit love / Secret love affair: A romantic or emotional relationship that is hidden, secret, or considered improper, often because it violates social norms, commitments, or laws.
- Partiality / Bias (archaic): An older, less common meaning referring to private, selfish feelings or favoritism that influences judgment.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Hai người họ gặp nhau một cách tư tình. (The two of them met for a secret love affair.)
- Vụ tư tình của vị quan ấy đã bị phát giác. (That official's illicit love affair was discovered.)
- Xử kiện phải công bằng, không được vì tư tình. (When adjudicating a case, one must be fair and not act out of partiality. [archaic usage])
Advanced Usage
- The word "tư tình" is formal and literary. It often carries a strong negative moral judgment, implying secrecy, deception, or immorality. It is not used for ordinary, open romantic relationships.
Variants and Related Words
- Ngoại tình (n): adultery, extramarital affair. This is a more specific and common term for an illicit affair involving at least one married person.
- Bị bắt quả tang ngoại tình. (Caught in the act of adultery.)
Synonyms
- Illicit affair: A secret sexual relationship.
- Secret love: A romantic relationship kept hidden.
- Clandestine relationship: A relationship kept secret, typically for a specific reason.
Related Idioms
- Ăn ở tư tình: To have an illicit cohabitation or secret romantic involvement.
- Hai kẻ ăn ở tư tình với nhau đã lâu. (The two have been involved in a secret relationship for a long time.)