vợ nhỏ

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A minor wife / a second wife: In historical and some traditional contexts, this term refers to a woman married to a man who already has a principal wife. It implies a secondary, often less formal, marital status.
   • A mistress / a concubine: In modern usage, it often carries a colloquial and sometimes derogatory meaning, referring to a woman in a long-term extramarital relationship with a married man.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Ông ta có cả vợ lớn lẫn vợ nhỏ. (He has both a principal wife and a minor wife.)
  • Câu chuyện về người đàn ông và cô vợ nhỏ đã gây xôn xao. (The story about the man and his mistress caused a stir.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is culturally loaded and reflects specific historical social structures, particularly polygamous practices. Its contemporary use is often pejorative and suggests secrecy or illicit relationships.

Variants and Related Words

• Vợ bé (n): A synonym with identical meaning and connotations.
• Vợ cả (n): The principal or first wife, in contrast to "vợ nhỏ."
• Vợ lẽ (n): A more formal, historical term for a concubine or secondary wife.

Synonyms

• Concubine: A woman who lives with a man but has lower status than a wife.
• Mistress: A woman having a sustained sexual relationship with a married man who is not her husband.
• Second wife: A wife of secondary rank, especially in polygamous societies.

Related Idioms

• Làm vợ nhỏ: To become or act as a minor wife/mistress.
  • Cô ấy không muốn làm vợ nhỏ cho ai cả. (She doesn't want to be anyone's mistress.)