Definition

1. Noun:
   • Chinese laughingthrush: A small songbird belonging to the family Leiothrichidae, known for its melodious and often complex vocalizations. In Vietnamese culture, it is sometimes associated with flattery due to its pleasing song.
   • (Figurative) A flatterer, a toady: Used metaphorically to describe a person who habitually uses excessive praise or flattery to gain favor.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Literal):
  • Trong vườn có một con khướu đang hót. (There is a Chinese laughingthrush singing in the garden.)
  • Tiếng hót của chim khướu rất hay. (The song of the Chinese laughingthrush is very beautiful.)
• Noun (Figurative):
  • Anh ta nịnh sếp hót như khướu. (He flatters the boss like a Chinese laughingthrush [i.e., he is an inveterate flatterer].)
  • Đừng có mà hót như khướu nữa! (Stop flattering/toadying like that!)

Advanced Usage

• "Hót như khướu": This is a fixed idiomatic expression. It literally means "to sing like a " but is exclusively used in a figurative, negative sense to mean "to be an inveterate flatterer," "to be a sycophant," or "to toady." It implies the flattery is as constant and pleasing (to the listener) as the bird's song.
  • Cậu ấy luôn hót như khướu trước mặt giám đốc. (He always toadies/flatters shamelessly in front of the director.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chim khướu: The full term specifying "khướu bird." This is the standard way to refer to the animal.
  • Chim khướu là một loài chim hót hay. (The Chinese laughingthrush is a songbird with a beautiful voice.)

Synonyms

• Kẻ nịnh hót / kẻ xu nịnh (n): A flatterer, a sycophant. (Figurative synonym for a person).
• Chim họa mi (n): Nightingale. Another bird known for its beautiful song, but without the negative connotation of flattery.

Related Idioms

• "Hót như khướu": As detailed above, this is the primary and almost only idiom associated with this word. It is a simile used to criticize someone's behavior.
  • Muốn thăng chức nên anh ấy lúc nào cũng hót như khướu. (Wanting a promotion, he is always toadying/flattering.)

1. Chinese laughing-thrush (chim)
   • Hót như khướu
     To be an inveterate flatterer, to be a toady