gian hùng
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- Machiavellian person; cunning and ambitious individual: Refers to a person who is exceptionally shrewd, deceitful, and strategically ambitious, often using their power and influence to achieve goals without moral restraint. The term combines "gian" (crafty, treacherous) and "hùng" (powerful, heroic), describing a formidable but morally unscrupulous figure.
- A treacherous and powerful figure: Denotes someone whose intelligence and capability are matched by a willingness to employ treachery and unscrupulous methods.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Trong lịch sử Trung Quốc, Tào Tháo thường được miêu tả là một gian hùng. (In Chinese history, Cao Cao is often described as a Machiavellian figure.)
- Hắn không phải là anh hùng chân chính, mà là một gian hùng thâm độc. (He is not a true hero, but a sinister and cunning schemer.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in historical, political, or literary contexts to analyze characters or leaders who achieve great power through a blend of strategic brilliance and moral compromise. It implies a lasting, influential legacy built on cunning.
Variants and Related Words
- Gian (adj): Crafty, treacherous, deceitful.
- Hùng (adj/n): Powerful, mighty; a hero.
- Gian trá (adj): Deceitful, fraudulent.
- Anh hùng (n): A true hero (often contrasted with "gian hùng").
Synonyms
- Machiavellian: Cunning, scheming, and unscrupulous, especially in politics.
- Schemer: A person who engages in elaborate and secret plots.
- Ruthless tactician: Someone who uses clever but often immoral strategies to achieve power.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Gian hùng nan phân: Literally "difficult to distinguish the cunning from the heroic." Used to describe a complex situation or person where noble and treacherous qualities are intertwined.
- Thời loạn, gian hùng nan phân. (In times of chaos, it is hard to distinguish the Machiavellian from the heroic.)
- Machiavellian