Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lecherous; lustful; libidinous: Having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire. This is the primary and most common meaning, describing a person, typically a man, who is obsessed with carnal pleasures and physical beauty, especially that of women.
   • Fond of beautiful women / Fond of feminine beauty: A more literal or slightly euphemistic translation, focusing on an intense appreciation for or attraction to female beauty, often implying this is a dominant character trait.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ông vua đó nổi tiếng là một người hiếu sắc. (That king was famous for being a lecherous man.)
  • Anh ta bị mang tiếng là hiếu sắc. (He has a reputation for being fond of beautiful women.)
  • Tính hiếu sắc của hắn đã dẫn đến nhiều rắc rối. (His lustful nature led to many troubles.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used to describe men and carries a strong negative moral judgment. It implies a lack of self-control and an indulgence in base desires.
• It can be used in both historical/literary contexts (e.g., describing a king or character) and in modern critical speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiếu dâm (adj): This is a stronger, more explicit synonym meaning "lustful" or "salacious," with an even clearer emphasis on sexual desire.
• Dâm đãng (adj): Lewd, licentious; another strong synonym for immoral sexual behavior.
• Hào sắc (adj): This is a less common, more literary term with a similar meaning.

Synonyms

• Lecherous: Having or showing excessive or offensive sexual desire.
• Lustful: Full of or motivated by strong sexual desire.
• Libidinous: Showing excessive sexual drive; lustful.
• Lascivious: Feeling or revealing an overt and often offensive sexual desire.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Hiếu sắc hiếu tài: An idiom describing someone who is fond of both beauty (women) and talent. It can sometimes be used with a slightly less negative connotation than "hiếu sắc" alone, acknowledging an appreciation for other qualities, but the "hiếu sắc" component remains critical.
  • Con người hiếu sắc hiếu tài thường khó an phận. (A man fond of both beauty and talent often finds it hard to be content.)

1. Fond of beautiful women