Definition

1. Verb:
   • To brag, to boast: To speak with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities, often in an exaggerated or untruthful manner.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ta chỉ biết khoác lác về thành tích của mình. (He only knows how to brag about his achievements.)
  • Đừng khoác lác nữa, không ai tin đâu. (Stop boasting; no one believes it.)
  • Cô ấy thường khoác lác rằng mình quen biết nhiều người nổi tiếng. (She often boasts that she knows many famous people.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often implies that the speaker's claims are not fully credible or are greatly exaggerated. It carries a negative connotation of being a blowhard or a braggart.

Variants and Related Words

• Khoe khoang (v): to show off, to boast. While similar, can sometimes be slightly less negative than , which strongly implies falsehood or extreme exaggeration.
  • Khoe khoang về của cải mới là điều không nên. (Boasting about new wealth is not advisable.)

Synonyms

• Boast: to talk with excessive pride.
• Brag: to say something in a boastful manner.
• Exaggerate: to represent something as greater than it is.

Related Idioms

• Khoác lác như tướng cướp: To brag like a bandit chief; to boast outrageously and fearlessly.
  • Hắn khoác lác như tướng cướp về chuyến phiêu lưu của mình. (He boasted like a bandit chief about his adventure.)

1. Brag, boast