Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deceitful, cheating, dishonest, tricky: Describes a person or action characterized by trickery, swindling, or a lack of honesty. It implies cunning and underhanded behavior.
   • Caddish, rascally: Suggests behavior that is not only dishonest but also contemptible or of low moral character.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hắn ta là một kẻ ba que. (He is a deceitful/cheating fellow.)
  • Đừng tin vào những lời ba que của nó. (Don't trust his dishonest/tricky words.)
  • Lão ấy chuyên nghề ba que. (That man makes a living through swindling/dishonest tricks.)

Advanced Usage

• "ba que xỏ lá": A common, intensified compound phrase meaning a thoroughly tricky, deceitful, and contemptible person. It is a strong pejorative.
  • Tên đó đúng là đồ ba que xỏ lá! (That guy is truly a tricky and caddish scoundrel!)
• Used to describe a specific, recognizable pattern of petty swindling or a con game, often involving simple tricks to cheat people out of money or goods.

Variants and Related Words

• Đồ ba que (n): A deceitful person, a swindler, a trickster.
  • Mày là đồ ba que! (You are a swindler!)
• Trò ba que (n): A dishonest trick, a swindle.
  • Hắn giở trò ba que để lừa người già. (He pulled a dishonest trick to cheat the elderly.)

Synonyms

• Lừa đảo: To defraud, to swindle.
• Xảo quyệt: Cunning, crafty.
• Gian xảo: Deceitful, fraudulent.
• Bịp bợm: Deceptive, conning.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• "Giở trò ba que": To pull a dishonest trick, to engage in swindling behavior.
  • Nó lại giở trò ba que nữa rồi. (He's pulling his dishonest tricks again.)
• "Nghề ba que": Refers to the "trade" or practice of petty swindling.
  • Hắn sống bằng nghề ba que. (He lives by swindling.)

adj

1. Deceitful, cheating, dishonest, tricky
   • đồ ba que xỏ lá
     one of the cheating and caddish kind
   • đừng giở trò ba que ấy ra!
     don't pull such a dishonest trick (such a trickery)!
   • bạn mầy đúng là thằng ba que xỏ lá!
     your friend is really a tricky fellow!