Definition

1. Adjective:
   • To look down on people / to be contemptuous of others: The primary meaning of "khinh người" is to hold a disdainful or scornful attitude towards other people, considering them inferior or worthless.
   • Arrogant / Haughty: It describes a person's character as being full of unwarranted pride and a sense of superiority over others.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ta có thái độ khinh người rất khó chịu. (He has a very unpleasant, contemptuous attitude towards people.)
  • Đừng khinh người như vậy. (Don't look down on people like that.)
  • Cô ấy trở nên khinh người sau khi giàu có. (She became haughty after becoming wealthy.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used to criticize a person's moral character or social attitude. It implies a deep-seated and habitual disrespect, not just a momentary feeling.

Variants and Related Words

• Khinh thường (v): to despise, to scorn, to look down upon. This verb focuses more on the action or feeling of contempt.

  • Hắn khinh thường những người nghèo. (He despises poor people.)

• Kiêu ngạo (adj): arrogant, proud. This is a close synonym but can sometimes lack the specific nuance of active contempt for others that "khinh người" carries.

  • Thái độ kiêu ngạo của anh ấy khiến mọi người xa lánh. (His arrogant attitude makes people avoid him.)

Synonyms

• Contemptuous: showing a lack of respect.
• Disdainful: showing that someone is unworthy of one's consideration.
• Scornful: feeling or expressing contempt or derision.
• Supercilious: behaving as though one thinks one is superior to others.

Related Idioms

• Khinh người khinh của: to look down on both people and material things; to be scornful of everything.
  • Con người khinh người khinh của ấy chẳng có bạn bè. (That person, who scorns everyone and everything, has no friends.)