Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Without male issue: Describes a person, traditionally a man, who has no sons to carry on the family lineage.
   • (Dialectal) Unfaithful, inconstant: Used in some regional dialects to describe a person, often a spouse, who is not loyal or steadfast.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Người ta nói dòng họ đó bị đoản hậu. (They say that lineage is without male issue.)
  • Lão ấy bị vợ bỏ vì tính đoản hậu. (His wife left him because of his inconstant nature.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is archaic and carries strong cultural connotations, particularly regarding family lineage. Its use is now rare in modern standard Vietnamese and is primarily found in classical literature, historical contexts, or specific regional dialects.

Variants and Related Words

• Tuyệt tự (adj/phrase): To have no heirs, to have one's lineage cut off. This is a more common modern term for the concept of having no descendants.
  • Cụ lo sợ gia đình sẽ tuyệt tự. (The elder feared the family would have no heirs.)

Synonyms

• Without heirs: Lacking descendants.
• Unfaithful: Not loyal, particularly in marriage.
• Fickle: Changing frequently, especially regarding loyalties or affections.

Notes on Usage

• The primary meaning ("without male issue") reflects a traditional, patriarchal perspective on family continuity.
• The dialectal meaning ("unfaithful") is not standard across all Vietnamese-speaking regions and may be misunderstood. The more common words for "unfaithful" are không chung thủy or phản bội.
• Due to its archaic and culturally specific nature, this word is seldom used in everyday contemporary conversation.

adj

1. Without male issue
2. (địa phương) Unfaithfull, inconstant