hà khốc
Definition
- Adjective:
- Harsh; severe; tyrannical: Describes a person, rule, or system that is extremely strict, cruel, and oppressive, showing no mercy or kindness.
- Brutal; ruthless: Characterizes behavior or actions that are excessively cruel and unfeeling.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ông chủ đó nổi tiếng là người hà khốc. (That boss is famous for being tyrannical.)
- Chế độ hà khốc đã bị lật đổ. (The brutal regime was overthrown.)
- Anh ta đối xử với nhân viên một cách hà khốc. (He treats his employees in a harsh and ruthless manner.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe governance, leadership, or judgment that is unjustly severe.
- Can be applied metaphorically to describe non-human forces, such as a harsh climate or unforgiving conditions.
- Thời tiết hà khốc của mùa đông. (The harsh weather of winter.)
Variants and Related Words
- Hà (as a component): In this compound, implies severity or harshness.
- Khốc (as a component): Relates to cruelty or bitterness. The combination intensifies the meaning.
Synonyms
- Tyrannical: Exercising power in a cruel or oppressive way.
- Brutal: Savagely violent, punishingly hard, or severe.
- Draconian: Excessively harsh and severe (often for laws or rules).
- Merciless: Showing no mercy.
Antonyms
- Khoan dung: Tolerant; lenient.
- Nhân từ: Kind; benevolent.
- Độ lượng: Magnanimous; generous.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Hà khốc tàn bạo: An intensified phrase meaning "brutally cruel and tyrannical."
- Kẻ thống trị hà khốc tàn bạo. (The brutally cruel ruler.)