Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dandy, a fop: A man who is excessively concerned with his appearance, clothing, and style in a showy or ostentatious way. This term often carries a slightly negative or mocking connotation, implying vanity or superficiality.
   • A male coquette, a playboy: A man who behaves in a flirtatious or seductive manner, often with the intention of charming or attracting romantic partners through his appearance and demeanor.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ta ăn mặc như một đĩ trai. (He dresses like a dandy.)
  • Cái cách anh ấy chải chuốt khiến mọi người gọi anh ấy là đĩ trai. (The way he grooms himself makes people call him a dandy.)

Advanced Usage

• The term đĩ trai is considered dialectal or colloquial. It is a compound of đĩ (a derogatory term for a promiscuous woman, a prostitute) and trai (boy, man). Its formation mirrors đĩ đực but is less common. It strongly emphasizes the performative, showy, and often morally questionable aspect of male vanity or seduction, more so than the English "dandy" which can sometimes have a neutral or artistic connotation.

Variants and Related Words

• Đĩ đực (n): A more common and stronger pejorative term with a similar meaning, directly translating to "male prostitute" but used figuratively to mean a man who is promiscuous or excessively concerned with seduction and appearance.
• Công tử bột (n): A dandy, a fop; often implies a wealthy, spoiled young man who is fond of luxury and fine clothes. Less harsh than đĩ trai.
• Kẻ chải chuốt (n): A person (usually male) who is overly groomed or fussy about their appearance.

Synonyms

• Dandy: A man unduly devoted to style, neatness, and fashion in dress and appearance.
• Fop: A man who is concerned with his clothes and appearance in an affected and excessive way.
• Coxcomb: A vain and conceited man; a dandy.
• Playboy: A wealthy man who spends his time enjoying himself, especially one who has many casual sexual relationships.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Làm đĩ trai: To act like a dandy/fop.
  • Anh ta không làm việc, suốt ngày chỉ lo làm đĩ trai. (He doesn't work, all day he just focuses on acting like a dandy.)

1. (địa phương) Dandy