Definition

1. Adjective (archaic):

   • Slighting, disrespectful: Showing a lack of proper respect or regard; treating someone as unimportant or inferior.
   • Contemptuous: Expressing scorn or disdain towards someone, especially towards those who deserve respect.

2. Verb (archaic):

   • To slight: To treat with indifference, disrespect, or a lack of due courtesy.
   • To offend (through disrespect): To cause offense by showing a lack of proper regard for someone's status or feelings.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Thái độ khi mạn của hắn thật không thể chấp nhận được. (His disrespectful attitude is truly unacceptable.)
  • Lời nói khi mạn ấy làm tổn thương nhiều người. (Those contemptuous words hurt many people.)

• Verb:

  • Không nên khi mạn bậc tôn trưởng. (One should not slight one's seniors/elders.)
  • Anh ta đã vô tình khi mạn vị khách quý. (He unintentionally offended the distinguished guest.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is marked as archaic (cũ) in modern Vietnamese. It is primarily encountered in classical literature, historical texts, or formal writings that emulate an older style. In contemporary spoken language, synonyms like "khinh thường" (to despise, to look down on) or "thiếu tôn trọng" (to lack respect) are more commonly used.

Variants and Related Words

• Khinh mạn: A closely related, synonymous term also meaning to despise or treat with contemptuous disrespect.
  • Hành động khinh mạn đó bị lên án. (That contemptuous action was condemned.)

Synonyms

• Disrespectful: Lacking respect.
• Contemptuous: Showing scorn.
• To slight: To treat as unimportant.
• To disparage: To belittle.

Related Idioms

• Khi mạn bậc tôn trưởng: To slight or show disrespect to one's elders/seniors. This is a common collocation that encapsulates the core meaning of the word.
  • Câu chuyện là một bài học về hậu quả của việc khi mạn bậc tôn trưởng. (The story is a lesson about the consequences of slighting one's elders.)

1. (cũ) Slight
   • Khi mạn bậc tôn trưởng
     To slight one's seniours