purdah

IPA/ˈpɜːdə/
IPA/ˈpɜːrdə/

purdah — noun

1. In parts of South Asia and the Middle East, a set of customs that require women

1.名詞C1
釋義

In parts of South Asia and the Middle East, a set of customs that require women to live in private quarters, cover themselves in loose clothing or a veil, and keep apart from unrelated men.

例句

In parts of rural Pakistan, families still observe the tradition of purdah today.

Arjun's great-aunt lived in purdah for fifty years after her marriage.

collocation: live in purdah

同義詞
  • seclusion

    broader term — any state of being apart from others, without the specific gender or regional meaning of purdah

  • veiling

    narrower — refers specifically to covering the face or head, which is only one part of the purdah system

反義詞
  • integration

    the opposite of gender-based separation

  • inclusion

    the opposite of social exclusion based on purdah

文法句型

in purdah

observe purdah

用法筆記

Typically uncountable. Commonly paired with the prepositions 'in' and the verbs 'observe', 'practice', 'follow'. The term is primarily associated with South Asian and Middle Eastern cultural contexts.

常見錯誤

❌Purdah is only practiced by Muslim women.
✅Purdah is practiced in some Muslim and Hindu communities.
💡The tradition exists in both Muslim and Hindu cultures, particularly in South Asia.
❌She wore a purdah.
✅She observed purdah.
💡Purdah refers to the custom or practice, not a physical piece of clothing.

2. A situation in which a person or group is kept apart from others, or chooses to

2.名詞C1
釋義

A situation in which a person or group is kept apart from others, or chooses to live without contact with the outside world.

例句

The former president remained in purdah for months after the scandal broke.

collocation: remain in purdah

During her final illness, the writer chose purdah and saw only her closest family.

同義詞
  • isolation

    more general — purdah suggests a more deliberate or total separation

  • seclusion

    very close in meaning; purdah carries a slightly more formal or literary tone

反義詞
  • socializing

    active engagement with others, the opposite of choosing purdah

  • engagement

    participation in social or public life

文法句型

in purdah

remain in purdah

用法筆記

Unlike sense 1, this sense does not refer to gender-based customs. It describes any situation of physical or social withdrawal and is common in journalism and political commentary.

常見錯誤

❌The writer went into purdah to write her book.
✅The writer went into purdah after her husband's death and saw no one for a year.
💡Purdah implies complete or near-complete social withdrawal, not just temporary focus on work.