Definition

Verb: - To speak scornfully of and sneer at; to ridicule, mock, or deride someone or something, often by combining criticism with laughter or contemptuous expression.

Usage

The verb chê cười is used to describe the act of openly expressing disdain, scorn, or mockery towards a person, their actions, or their qualities. It implies a combination of verbal criticism (chê) and derisive laughter or mockery (cười). It is often used in contexts where someone's behavior, character flaw, or failure is pointed out and laughed at contemptuously.

Examples

• Chê cười kẻ hèn nhát. (To speak scornfully and sneeringly of the coward.)
• Chê cười những tật xấu. (To ridicule bad habits.)
• Bị làng xóm chê cười. (To be mocked/ridiculed by the village neighbors.)
• Chê cười sự nhút nhát của ai đó. (To mock someone's timidity.)

Advanced Usage

• Chê cười often carries a social or moral judgment, implying that the subject of mockery has violated a social norm or standard.
• It can be used in both active ("to ridicule someone") and passive ("to be ridiculed") constructions, as shown in the examples.

Variants and Related Words

• Chê bai (v): To criticize, often harshly or unfavorably. (Focuses more on criticism than on mockery.)
• Chế nhạo (v): To deride, to scoff at. (Very close synonym, often interchangeable with chê cười.)
• Nhạo báng (v): To scorn, to ridicule. (Slightly stronger, can imply public humiliation.)
• Giễu cợt (v): To jest, to make fun of. (Can be slightly less harsh, sometimes playful.)

Synonyms

• Mock (v): To tease or laugh at in a scornful or contemptuous manner.
• Ridicule (v): To subject someone or something to contemptuous and dismissive language or behavior.
• Deride (v): To express contempt for; to ridicule.
• Scoff at (v.phr): To speak about someone or something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Làm trò cười cho thiên hạ: To become a laughingstock for everyone. (This phrase describes the result of being widely chê cười.)
• Chê cười chỉ trích: To criticize and mock. (This phrase emphasizes the dual action of criticism and ridicule.)

1. To speak scornfully of and sneer at
   • chê cười kẻ hèn nhát
     to speak scornfully and sneeringly of the coward