Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Disdainful, supercilious: Describes a facial expression or attitude that shows one feels superior to others and looks down on them with contempt or scorn.
   • Coldly aloof, dismissive: Refers to a manner that is intentionally distant, unresponsive, or curt, indicating a lack of regard or respect for the other person.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy nhìn tôi với vẻ mặt khinh khỉnh. (She looked at me with a disdainful expression.)
  • Anh ta trả lời một cách khinh khỉnh rồi bỏ đi. (He answered in a supercilious manner and then walked away.)
  • Thái độ khinh khỉnh của người bán hàng khiến khách rất khó chịu. (The shop assistant's dismissive attitude made the customer very uncomfortable.)

Advanced Usage

• "Khinh khỉnh" is often used to describe a specific, visible demeanor—a look, a tone of voice, or a way of responding—that conveys haughty contempt. It implies a deliberate act of showing disrespect.
  • Đừng có cái kiểu khinh khỉnh ấy với tôi! (Don't give me that disdainful look/attitude!)

Variants and Related Words

• Khinh (verb): To despise, to look down upon. This is the root verb conveying the core meaning of contempt.
  • Hắn khinh những người nghèo. (He despises poor people.)
• Khinh mạn (adjective): Arrogant and disrespectful. A stronger, more formal synonym.
  • thái độ khinh mạn (an arrogant and disrespectful attitude)
• Kiêu kỳ / Kiêu ngạo (adjective): Proud, arrogant. These words focus more on pride itself, while "khinh khỉnh" focuses on the outward expression of that contempt.

Synonyms

• Coi thường: To look down on, to disdain (verb phrase).
• Ngạo mạn: Arrogant, haughty (adjective).
• Lạnh nhạt: Cold, indifferent (adjective). This shares the sense of aloofness but without the strong element of active contempt.

Related Idioms

• Khinh khỉnh như chĩnh mắm thối: (To be as disdainful as a jar of rotten fish sauce). This traditional idiom vividly describes someone with an extremely arrogant and contemptuous attitude, as if they find everything as foul-smelling as rotten fish sauce.
  • Cô ta cứ khinh khỉnh như chĩnh mắm thối, chẳng thèm chào ai. (She acts all high and mighty, not bothering to greet anyone.)

1. (look) disdainful, (look) supercilious