hợm đời
Definition
- Adjective:
- Arrogant, conceited, or snobbish: Describes a person who acts superior, looks down on others, and has an inflated sense of their own importance or sophistication.
- Pretentious or affected: Refers to putting on airs or adopting a false, overly refined manner to appear more worldly or cultured than one truly is.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ta có thái độ rất hợm đời. (He has a very arrogant/snobbish attitude.)
- Đừng hợm đời với bạn bè. (Don't act all high and mighty with your friends.)
- Cô ấy nói chuyện một cách hợm đời. (She speaks in a pretentious manner.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "hợm đời" is inherently critical and negative. It is often used to criticize someone's character or behavior, implying their superiority complex is unwarranted and offensive.
Variants and Related Words
- Hợm hĩnh (adj): Haughty, arrogant. A close synonym, often used interchangeably.
- Kiêu ngạo (adj): Proud, arrogant. A more general term for pride and arrogance.
- Lên mặt (verb phrase): To put on airs, to act superior. This phrase is a key component in the concept of "hợm đời".
Synonyms
- Snobbish: Having the character of a snob.
- Conceited: Excessively proud of oneself.
- Pretentious: Attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
- Haughty: Arrogantly superior and disdainful.
Related Idioms
- Lên mặt khinh đời: To put on airs and look down on the world. This is the classic descriptive phrase from which "hợm đời" is derived.
- Hắn ta lên mặt khinh đời, chẳng coi ai ra gì. (He puts on airs and looks down on everyone, considering nobody worthwhile.)