Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Despicable / Contemptible: Worthy of strong disapproval, scorn, or moral condemnation due to being perceived as vile, base, or without honor.
   • Worthy of disdain: Deserving to be looked down upon or regarded as worthless because of low, mean, or shameful actions or character.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hành động phản bội bạn bè của anh ta thật đáng khinh. (His act of betraying his friends is truly despicable.)
  • Lời nói dối trắng trợn ấy thật đáng khinh. (That blatant lie is utterly contemptible.)
  • Thái độ khinh người ấy rất đáng khinh. (That snobbish attitude is very worthy of disdain.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal or literary contexts to express strong moral judgment. It describes a fundamental quality of a person, action, or thing that evokes scorn.
• It can be used in constructs like "" (is truly contemptible) or "" (to feel contemptible).

Variants and Related Words

• Đáng khinh bỉ (adj): A stronger, more emphatic synonym meaning despicable, vile.
  • Tội ác đó đáng khinh bỉ. (That crime is vile.)
• Đáng khinh rẻ (adj): Similar to "đáng khinh," emphasizing being looked down upon.
  • Những kẻ bắt nạt kẻ yếu thật đáng khinh rẻ. (Bullies who pick on the weak are truly contemptible.)

Synonyms

• Despicable: Deserving hatred and contempt.
• Contemptible: Worthy of scorn.
• Disdainful: Showing contempt or lack of respect.
• Wretched: Of poor quality; very unhappy or unfortunate (can imply despicability).

Related Idioms

• Đáng khinh đáng trọng: (Despicable and respectable) This is not a fixed idiom but a contrasting phrase that can be used to discuss the spectrum of what society deems worthy of scorn or honor.
  • Xã hội luôn có những chuẩn mực về cái đáng khinh và cái đáng trọng. (Society always has standards for what is contemptible and what is honorable.)