Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unpleasant to look at; unsightly; unattractive: Describes something that is visually displeasing or ugly.
   • Unseemly; improper; embarrassing: Describes behavior, an attitude, or a situation that is socially awkward, inappropriate, or shameful.

Usage Examples

• Describing physical appearance:

  • Căn nhà bỏ hoang trông rất khó coi. (The abandoned house looks very unsightly.)
  • Bức tranh này bố cục lộn xộn, khó coi quá. (This painting has a chaotic composition; it's so unattractive.)

• Describing behavior or situation:

  • Anh ấy có thái độ khó coi với khách hàng. (He has an unseemly attitude towards customers.)
  • Hai người cãi nhau giữa chợ, thật là khó coi. (The two people arguing in the middle of the market is truly embarrassing/improper.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm khó coi": to make (something/someone) look bad; to be an embarrassment.

  • Hành vi của anh ta làm khó coi cho cả gia đình. (His behavior makes the whole family look bad / is an embarrassment to the whole family.)

• Used to express strong disapproval of moral character or actions, implying shamefulness.

  • Con người tham lam thì khó coi lắm. (A greedy person is very shameful/unseemly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xấu xí (adj): Primarily means physically ugly. ( can overlap but often includes a moral or behavioral dimension).
• Kém duyên (adj): Lacking grace or charm; awkward in a social context.
• Mất lịch sự (adj): Impolite; ill-mannered.
• Phản cảm (adj): Causing a negative, offensive feeling; often used for content that is disturbing or in poor taste.

Synonyms

• Unsightly: Unpleasant to look at.
• Unseemly: Not proper or appropriate in behavior.
• Improper: Not in accordance with accepted standards.
• Embarrassing: Causing a feeling of self-consciousness, shame, or awkwardness.
• Shameful: Worthy of or causing shame.

Related Phrases (Collocations)

• Hành động khó coi: an unseemly/improper action.
• Cảnh tượng khó coi: an unsightly/embarrassing scene.
• Bộ dạng khó coi: an unsightly/shameful appearance.

Related Idioms

• "Khó coi mặt": A stronger, more colloquial variant emphasizing the shame or embarrassment is visible on one's face or in the situation.
  • Cứ cãi nhau mãi, khó coi mặt ra. (If you keep arguing like this, it's utterly shameful.)
• The proverb from the reference ("Tham bên phú quí phụ bần khó coi") translates as "Clinging to the rich and powerful while neglecting the poor is shameful." This exemplifies the moral dimension of .

adj

1. unsightly