gian ngoan
Definition
- Adjective:
- Cunning and crafty: Describes a person who is deceitful and clever in a tricky, often malicious way. It implies using intelligence for dishonest or sly purposes.
- Sly and artful: Suggests a combination of guile and clever resourcefulness to achieve one's own ends, typically through trickery.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Tên tội phạm đó rất gian ngoan, luôn nghĩ ra những kế hoạch tinh vi. (That criminal is very cunning and crafty, always devising sophisticated plans.)
- Đừng tin hắn, vẻ ngoài thật thà nhưng bên trong rất gian ngoan. (Don't trust him; his honest appearance hides a very sly and artful nature.)
- Bọn buôn lậu ngày càng gian ngoan hơn trong việc qua mặt nhà chức trách. (Smugglers are becoming more cunning and crafty in evading the authorities.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used to describe the sophisticated, deceptive intelligence of criminals, tricksters, or adversaries in contexts of conflict, competition, or crime.
Variants and Related Words
- Gian xảo (adj): Deceitful and cunning; often used interchangeably with , but can sometimes imply a sharper, more treacherous cunning.
- Láo ngoáy (adj, colloquial): Slick and deceitful, emphasizing a glib or shamelessly tricky manner.
Synonyms
- Cunning: Skilled in achieving one's ends by deceit.
- Crafty: Clever at achieving one's aims by indirect or deceitful methods.
- Sly: Having or showing a cunning and deceitful nature.
- Artful: Clever or skillful, especially in a cunning way.
Related Idioms
- Gian ngoan xảo quyệt: An intensified phrase meaning extremely cunning, crafty, and deceitful.
- Đối thủ của chúng ta không chỉ mạnh mà còn gian ngoan xảo quyệt. (Our opponent is not only strong but also extremely cunning and deceitful.)