dâm tà

Definition

Noun (archaic, literary):
- Lewdness; lasciviousness; lechery: Refers to immoral, excessive, or perverse sexual desire or behavior. This term is considered old-fashioned and is rarely used in modern Vietnamese.
- Lustful evil; depraved desire: Often carries a connotation of something morally corrupt or deviant, stemming from improper or wicked thoughts.
Adjective (archaic, literary):
- Lecherous; lustful; lascivious: Describing a person or behavior characterized by or provoking excessive sexual desire.

Usage Examples

Noun:
- Truyện xưa thường cảnh báo về sự nguy hiểm của dâm tà. (Old stories often warn of the dangers of lechery.)
- Hắn bị buộc tội vì dâm tà. (He was accused of lewdness.)
Adjective:
- Ánh mắt dâm tà của gã khiến cô sợ hãi. (The man's lecherous gaze frightened her.)
- Những tư tưởng dâm tà bị lên án. (Lustful thoughts were condemned.)

Advanced Usage

The term "dâm tà" is largely archaic and is found in classical literature, historical texts, or moral teachings. In contemporary language, "tà dâm" (vice, fornication, lust) is the more common and standard term with a similar meaning, often used in religious or formal moral contexts.

Variants and Related Words

Tà dâm (n): One of the "five grave offenses" in Buddhism or a general term for sexual misconduct. This is the modern, more frequently used inversion of "dâm tà".
Dâm ô (adj): Obscene, indecent; often used in legal contexts (e.g., "tội dâm ô" - act of indecency).
Dâm đãng (adj): Licentious, debauched.

Synonyms

Lechery: Excessive sexual desire.
Lasciviousness: Feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire.
Lust: A strong sexual desire.
Debauchery: Excessive indulgence in sensual pleasures.

Related Concepts

Cổ nhân coi dâm tà là một thứ bệnh của tâm hồn. (The ancients considered lewdness a sickness of the soul.)
The concept is often associated with moral decay, a lack of self-control, and is contrasted with chastity or proper conduct in traditional value systems.