Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lowly, base, vile: Describes a person, action, or characteristic that is morally low, contemptible, or lacking in dignity and honor.
   • Despicable, mean: Refers to behavior that is shamefully selfish, unprincipled, or ignoble.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hắn ta là một kẻ hạ tiện, sẵn sàng phản bội bạn bè vì tiền. (He is a vile person, ready to betray friends for money.)
  • Lời nói hạ tiện đó đã làm tổn thương nhiều người. (That base remark hurt many people.)
  • Hành động hạ tiện nhất là lợi dụng lòng tin của người khác. (The most despicable action is to exploit others' trust.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is considered strong and somewhat literary. It is used to express severe moral condemnation.
• It often describes a profound lack of character or a serious breach of ethical standards.

Variants and Related Words

• Đê tiện (adj): A more common synonym with the same meaning of "base, vile, despicable."
• Hèn hạ (adj): Mean, cowardly, ignoble. Shares the sense of moral lowliness but can emphasize cowardice.
• Thấp hèn (adj): Lowly, humble (can describe social status or, in a moral sense, base character).

Synonyms

• Đê tiện: Base, vile.
• Thấp kém (về đạo đức): Morally inferior.
• Đáng khinh: Despicable, contemptible.

Related Idioms

• Hạ mình, hạ giá: These are separate phrases. "Hạ mình" means to humble oneself, and "hạ giá" means to reduce the price. They are not idioms containing "hạ tiện" but share the root "hạ" (to lower).
• The word "hạ tiện" itself can be used in idiomatic condemnations, e.g., (You vile creature!).

1. (ít dùng) như đê tiện