Definition

Adjective: * Wicked, malicious, villainous: Describes a person, action, or nature that is extremely evil, cruel, and often involves hidden treachery or deceit. It implies a deep-seated malevolence that is not just openly cruel but also cunning and insidious.

Usage

• This word is a strong adjective used to describe profound moral corruption and evil intent. It is more severe than simply "ác" (evil/cruel) because it carries the added nuance of "hiểm" (dangerous, treacherous), suggesting a hidden, calculating, and sinister quality to the wickedness.
• It is typically used to describe a person's character, heart, or specific actions/plots.

Usage Examples

• Describing a person's character:
  • Hắn là một kẻ hiểm ác, luôn lập mưu hại người. (He is a wicked person, always plotting to harm others.)
  • Bộ mặt hiểm ác của tên phản bội cuối cùng cũng bị lộ. (The villainous face of the traitor was finally exposed.)
• Describing intentions or actions:
  • Âm mưu hiểm ác của chúng đã bị bại lộ. (Their malicious plot has been uncovered.)
  • Đó là một hành động hiểm ác không thể tha thứ. (That was an unforgivably wicked act.)

Advanced Usage / Nuances

• The term often implies a level of premeditation and cunning. The evil is not impulsive but carefully planned and hidden.
• It can be used in literary, formal, or journalistic contexts to strongly condemn severe moral failings, treachery, or heinous crimes.

Variants and Related Words

• Hiểm độc (adj): Synonymous with "hiểm ác," also meaning wicked and malicious, sometimes with an emphasis on venomous or deadly intent.
• Ác (adj): Evil, cruel, bad. A more general term for evil, without the specific connotation of hidden treachery.
• Độc ác (adj): Cruel, brutal, vicious. Emphasizes harshness and cruelty.
• Nham hiểm (adj): Cunning, treacherous, insidious. Focuses more on the deceitful and scheming aspect, similar to "hiểm" in "hiểm ác."

Synonyms

• Wicked: Morally very bad and evil.
• Malicious: Characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.
• Villainous: Relating to or characteristic of a villain; wicked.
• Sinister: Giving the impression that something harmful or evil is happening or will happen.
• Treacherous: Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.

Idioms / Set Phrases

• Lòng dạ hiểm ác: A wicked/heart (literally: a heart and stomach that are wicked). Refers to a deeply malicious and treacherous nature.
  • Với lòng dạ hiểm ác, hắn sẵn sàng phản bội bất cứ ai. (With a wicked heart, he is ready to betray anyone.)

adj

1. wicked