dạy khôn
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To try to teach someone something they already know very well, often implying the teacher is less experienced or knowledgeable than the student: The phrase "dạy khôn" describes the presumptuous or unnecessary act of attempting to instruct a person who is already an expert or highly skilled in that very area. It carries a strong connotation of arrogance and futility.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase: (He tried to teach a leading expert in their own field.) (She felt she was being lectured on her basic job by the new intern.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is almost always used critically or ironically to point out the foolishness of the person doing the "dạy khôn." It highlights a lack of awareness or respect for the other person's expertise.
Variants and Related Words
- Dạy đời (verb phrase): To lecture or preach to someone in a condescending way, often about life or morals. While similar, "dạy đời" is broader and not strictly limited to teaching an expert their own specialty.
- Khôn hơn (adjective phrase): To be wiser or smarter (than someone). This is the comparative form of "khôn" (wise/smart).
Synonyms
- Làm thầy (verb phrase): Literally "to act as a teacher," can be used similarly in a sarcastic context.
- Dạy bảo (verb): To teach or instruct. This is a neutral term, but can be used ironically in context to mean "dạy khôn."
Related Idioms
- Múa rìu qua mắt thợ: Literally "to swing an axe in front of a carpenter." This is a very close synonym and a direct equivalent, meaning to show off a skill before a master of that skill.
- Đánh trống qua cửa nhà sấm: Literally "to beat a drum in front of the house of the Thunder God." This means to boast or show off in front of someone who is vastly superior in that area.
- Teach one's grandmother to suck eggs