ở vậy
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To remain a widow; to continue living in widowhood: Refers specifically to a woman who, after her husband's death, chooses not to remarry and continues her life in that state.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Sau khi chồng mất, bà ấy quyết định ở vậy nuôi con. (After her husband passed away, she decided to remain a widow to raise her children.)
- Cụ bà đã ở vậy suốt ba mươi năm. (The elderly woman has lived in widowhood for thirty years.)
Advanced Usage
"ở vậy nuôi con": To remain a widow to raise one's children.
- Quyết định ở vậy nuôi con của bà là một sự hy sinh lớn. (Her decision to remain a widow to raise her children was a great sacrifice.)
"ở vậy trọn đời": To remain a widow for one's entire life.
- Bà tôi thề ở vậy trọn đời sau khi ông tôi qua đời. (My grandmother vowed to remain a widow for life after my grandfather died.)
Variants and Related Words
Ở góa (verb phrase): A synonym meaning "to live as a widow".
- Bà cụ đã ở góa từ rất trẻ. (The old woman has been a widow since she was very young.)
Quả phụ (noun): A widow (a more formal or literary term for a woman whose husband has died).
- Người quả phụ ấy sống rất mẫu mực. (That widow lives a very exemplary life.)
Synonyms
- Sống một mình (sau khi chồng mất): To live alone (after one's husband's death).
- Không tái giá: To not remarry (specifically for a widow).
Notes on Meaning and Usage
- Cultural Context: The phrase "ở vậy" carries significant cultural and historical weight in Vietnamese society. It traditionally implies a virtuous commitment, often associated with loyalty to the deceased husband and dedication to the family, particularly the children. This choice was highly valued in Confucian-influenced contexts.
- Specificity: This term applies exclusively to widows (women). The equivalent concept for widowers (men) is not commonly lexicalized in the same way in Vietnamese.
- Modern Usage: While the term is still understood, its use and the social expectation it represents have evolved significantly in modern times. The decision to remarry or not is now viewed more as a personal choice.
- Continue in one's widowhood