Definition

1. Idiom (figurative expression):
   • Beautiful but lacking fragrance: Literally describes a flower that is visually attractive but has no scent.
   • Beautiful but lacking virtue / character: Figuratively describes a person (typically a woman) who is physically beautiful but has a poor, unappealing, or immoral character.
   • Talented but lacking morality: Can also be extended to describe someone who has skill or talent but lacks ethical principles or virtue.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Hoa hồng nhà ấy đẹp, nhưng tiếc là hữu sắc vô hương. (That house's roses are beautiful, but unfortunately, they are beautiful but scentless.)
  • Cô ta được mệnh danh là hữu sắc vô hương vì tính cách chẳng ra gì. (She is described as 'beautiful but lacking virtue' because of her terrible personality.)
  • Một chính trị gia hữu sắc vô hương thì thật nguy hiểm. (A politician who is talented but without morality is truly dangerous.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiom is often used in literary, proverbial, or critical contexts to offer a moral judgment, emphasizing that inner qualities are more important than outward appearance or superficial skill.

Variants and Related Words

• Hữu danh vô thực (idiom): To have a name/reputation but no real substance.
• Hữu tài vô đức (phrase): To have talent but no virtue (a more direct variant of the third meaning).

Synonyms

• All style, no substance: Having an attractive appearance but lacking real value or quality.
• A pretty face with an ugly heart: Colloquial expression for someone beautiful but mean-spirited.
• Fair without, foul within: A literary expression meaning attractive on the outside but corrupt on the inside.

Related Idioms

• Tốt gỗ hơn tốt nước sơn: Literally "Good wood is better than good paint." Means inner quality is more valuable than outward appearance.
• Cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp: Literally "Character kills beauty." Means good character is more important than physical beauty.