bia miệng

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The Vietnamese phrase "bia miệng" literally translates to "oral stone tablet" but is often used to refer to "posthumous ill fame" or "reputation that lasts long after death." This expression suggests that while physical monuments like stone tablets may erode over time, the negative or lasting reputation of a person can endure for much longer.

Usage Instructions:

• "Bia miệng" is commonly used to discuss someone's lasting negative reputation, particularly after their death or in the context of their legacy.
• It can be applied in conversations about public figures, historical figures, or anyone whose actions have left a significant mark on society, whether positive or negative.

Example:

• Basic Usage: "Ông ấy đã làm nhiều điều xấu trong đời, vì vậy bia miệng của ông sẽ còn mãi."
  • Translation: "He did many bad things in life, so his posthumous ill fame will last forever."

Advanced Usage:

• You might encounter "bia miệng" in literature or discussions about ethics, morality, and societal judgment. It often serves as a cautionary tale about one's actions and how they can affect one’s legacy.

Word Variants:

• There are no direct variants of "bia miệng" as it is a specific phrase. However, you might encounter related terms when discussing fame or reputation, such as:
  • "danh tiếng" (reputation)
  • "sự nổi tiếng" (fame)

Different Meanings:

• While "bia miệng" primarily refers to a negative legacy, in some contexts, it can also highlight the idea that any reputation—good or bad—can persist long after a person is gone.

Synonyms:

• "tiếng xấu" (bad reputation)
• "danh dự" (honor) can be contrasted with "bia miệng" to highlight positive legacies.
• "danh vọng" (fame) can also serve as a contrasting term when discussing how some people are remembered positively.

Cultural Reference:

• The phrase is often used in Vietnamese proverbs to convey wisdom about life choices and the importance of leaving a good legacy. The saying "trăm năm bia đá thì mòn, nghìn năm bia miệng hãy còn trơ trơ" emphasizes that while physical monuments may wear down, the impact of one's actions can resonate through time.

Academic

1. Posthumous ill fame
   • Trăm năm bia đá thì mòn Nghìn năm bia miệng hãy còn trơ trơ
     A stela will wear out in one hundred years, A posthumous ill fame will remain whole in a thousand years