Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Mean, ignoble, base: Describes a person, action, or behavior that is morally low, contemptible, or characterized by pettiness and a lack of dignity or honor.
   • Poor, poverty-stricken (archaic or literary): Describes a state of extreme material poverty and low social standing. This meaning is less common in modern usage.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Mean/Ignoble):
  • Hắn là một kẻ bần tiện, chỉ biết lợi dụng người khác. (He is a mean person, only knowing how to take advantage of others.)
  • Đó là một hành động bần tiện không thể tha thứ. (That is an ignoble act that cannot be forgiven.)
• Adjective (Poor - archaic):
  • Xuất thân từ một gia cảnh bần tiện. (Coming from a poverty-stricken family background.)

Advanced Usage

• The word bần tiện carries a strong negative moral judgment. It is more severe than simply "keo kiệt" (stingy) and implies a fundamental flaw in character.
• In classical literature or poetry, the older meaning of "poor and lowly" might be encountered, often with a sense of pity rather than moral contempt.

Variants and Related Words

• Bần cùng (adj): Destitute, in abject poverty. Focuses solely on material lack, not moral character.
  • Sống trong cảnh bần cùng. (To live in destitution.)
• Tiện nhân (n): A vile/despicable person. A related noun form.

Synonyms

• Mean: Lacking dignity or honor; petty.
• Ignoble: Not honorable in character or purpose.
• Base: Morally low; without ethical principles.
• Contemptible: Deserving scorn; despicable.

Related Idioms

• Bần tiện bất năng di, uy vũ bất năng khuất: A classical saying meaning "Poverty and lowliness cannot make him waver, power and force cannot make him bend," praising an unyielding character. Note: Here, bần tiện uses the older meaning of "poor and lowly."

adj

1. Poor, poverty-stricken
2. Mean, ignoble
   • con người bần tiện
     a mean person
   • việc làm bần tiện
     a mean action