Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Untrue, false: Describes a statement, story, or claim that is invented and not based on fact. It implies a lack of truthfulness.
   • Boastful, exaggerated: Often describes talk that is not just false but also involves bragging or overstating one's abilities or experiences for effect.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Câu chuyện đó nghe rất dóc. (That story sounds very untrue.)
  • Đừng tin anh ta, anh ta chỉ toàn nói chuyện dóc. (Don't believe him, he only talks nonsense/boasts.)
  • Lời hứa dóc của nó chẳng ai thèm nghe. (No one bothers to listen to his empty/false promises.)

Advanced Usage

• "nói dóc": to tell tall tales, to lie, to boast. This is the most common collocation.

  • Thằng bé hay nói dóc về điểm số của mình. (The boy often lies/boasts about his grades.)

• "chuyện dóc": a tall tale, a lie, a boastful story.

  • Quán bar đầy những chuyện dóc của các tay chơi. (The bar is full of the tall tales from the playboys.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dóc tổ (adj/phr): A more intense, slang variant meaning a huge, blatant lie or an extreme level of boasting.

  • Câu chuyện đi săn của ông ấy là dóc tổ. (His hunting story is a whopper.)

• Khoác lác (v): To brag, to boast. A close synonym often used in similar contexts.

  • Nó thích khoác lác về chiếc xe mới. (He likes to brag about his new car.)

Synonyms

• False: Not in accordance with truth or fact.
• Boastful: Showing excessive pride in oneself.
• Exaggerated: Represented as larger, better, or worse than is true.

Related Idioms

• Dóc như Cuội: To lie like Pinocchio; to be a habitual liar. (A Vietnamese adaptation referencing the famous fictional liar.)
  • Cậu bạn đó dóc như Cuội, đừng tin. (That friend lies like Pinocchio, don't believe him.)

adj

1. untrue, lie