Definition

1. Noun:
   • A dandy, a fop, a playboy: "công tử vỏ" refers to a young man from a wealthy or aristocratic family who is overly concerned with his appearance, fashion, and leisure pursuits, often to the point of being seen as frivolous or superficial. The term carries a slightly pejorative or mocking tone, implying idleness and a lack of substance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh ta ăn mặc lòe loẹt và chẳng làm gì cả, đúng là một công tử vỏ. (He dresses flashily and does nothing, he's a real dandy.)
  • Những công tử vỏ thường chỉ biết tiêu tiền của cha mẹ. (These playboys usually only know how to spend their parents' money.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is considered slang (argot) and is somewhat dated. It is synonymous with "công tử bột," which has the same meaning.
• It is used to critique a lifestyle perceived as shallow and dependent on family wealth rather than personal merit or work.

Variants and Related Words

• Công tử bột (noun): A direct synonym with identical meaning and connotation (a dandy, a fop).
• Công tử (noun): A more neutral term meaning "young master" or "son of a wealthy/aristocratic family," without the inherently negative connotation of idleness and frivolity. "Công tử vỏ" adds the negative nuance.

Synonyms

• Playboy: A man who spends his time enjoying himself, especially one who is rich and has many sexual relationships.
• Dandy / Fop: A man who is excessively concerned about his clothes and appearance.
• Wastrel: A wasteful or good-for-nothing person (stronger negative connotation).

Related Idioms

• While "công tử vỏ" itself is a set phrase, it is used in contexts similar to the English idiom "born with a silver spoon in one's mouth", emphasizing inherited privilege without responsibility. However, "công tử vỏ" focuses more on the resulting frivolous behavior.