gian tham

Quan lại gian tham nhận hối lộ của dân.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deceitful and greedy: Describes a person, especially in a position of power or authority, who is both dishonest in character and excessively avaricious, often willing to use fraud or trickery for personal gain.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Những quan chức gian tham đã bị bắt. (The deceitful and greedy officials were arrested.)
  • Hắn ta có bản chất gian tham, luôn lừa dối để kiếm tiền. (He has a deceitful and greedy nature, always cheating to make money.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal, literary, or journalistic contexts to describe profound moral corruption, particularly in politics or business, combining two severe character flaws.

Variants and Related Words

• Gian (adj): deceitful, treacherous, cunning.
• Tham (adj): greedy, avaricious, covetous.
• Tham nhũng (n/v): corruption; to be corrupt. (This is a distinct but related concept focusing on the abuse of power for gain.)

Synonyms

• Corrupt: willing to act dishonestly for personal gain.
• Venal: showing or motivated by susceptibility to bribery; corrupt.
• Rapacious: aggressively greedy or grasping.

Related Idioms

• Gian tham vô độ: Boundlessly deceitful and greedy.
  • Tên trùm gian tham vô độ đã bị tòa kết án. (The boundlessly deceitful and greedy boss was sentenced by the court.)