vẹn chữ tùng

Definition

1. Noun Phrase:
   • Complete fidelity to the marital vow (to follow one's husband): A traditional Confucian-based concept describing a wife's perfect fulfillment of her duty, which historically meant following and being devoted to her husband unconditionally.
   • Unwavering wifely devotion: Emphasizes the ideal of a woman's absolute loyalty and faithfulness within marriage, often associated with the "tam tòng" (three obediences) principle.

Usage Examples

• Noun Phrase:
  • Bà ấy cả đời giữ vẹn chữ tùng. (She kept complete fidelity to the marital vow her entire life.)
  • Câu chuyện ca ngợi tấm gương vẹn chữ tùng. (The story praises the model of unwavering wifely devotion.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is primarily used in historical, literary, or formal contexts to discuss traditional gender roles and marital ethics. It is less common in modern everyday speech.
• It often carries a tone of reverence or praise for a woman's sacrifice and loyalty according to feudal standards.

Cultural and Historical Context

• The phrase is built on the classical concept of "tùng" (to follow/obey), one of the "tam tòng tứ đức" (three obediences and four virtues) for women in East Asian Confucian societies.
• It represents an idealized, often rigid, standard of womanhood where a wife's primary virtue was obedience and loyalty to her husband.

Synonyms

• Marital fidelity: Faithfulness to one's spouse.
• Wifely devotion: Deep dedication and loyalty of a wife.
• Steadfast loyalty: Unwavering allegiance (within the marital context).

Related Concepts

• Tam tòng: The "three obediences" (at home, obey father; married, obey husband; widowed, obey son).
• Tứ đức: The "four virtues" for women (cong, dung, ngôn, hạnh - work, appearance, speech, morality).