Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Haughty, arrogant: Describes a person who has an excessively high opinion of themselves, looking down on others with a sense of superiority and disdain.
   • Pretentious, conceited: Refers to a person who acts in a way intended to impress others, often by showing off their perceived importance, beauty, or status.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy có thái độ rất kiêu kì với mọi người. (She has a very haughty attitude towards everyone.)
  • Anh ta kiêu kì vì mình giàu có. (He is arrogant because he is wealthy.)
  • Đừng kiêu kì như vậy, hãy khiêm tốn hơn. (Don't be so conceited, be more humble.)

Advanced Usage

• "vẻ mặt kiêu kì": a haughty expression/look.
  • Cô ấy nhìn tôi với vẻ mặt kiêu kì. (She looked at me with a haughty expression.)
• "tính kiêu kì": a haughty/arrogant nature.
  • Tính kiêu kì của anh ấy khiến anh mất nhiều bạn bè. (His arrogant nature has caused him to lose many friends.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kiêu (adj): proud, arrogant. Often used in a negative sense similar to "kiêu kì," but can sometimes imply a positive pride (e.g., "kiêu hãnh" - pride). "Kiêu kì" intensifies the negative aspect.
• Kiêu căng (adj): arrogant, haughty. A very close synonym to "kiêu kì."
• Kiêu ngạo (adj): proud, arrogant. Another strong synonym.
• Kì (as a bound morpheme in this word): This element adds emphasis to the meaning of "kiêu," reinforcing the sense of being showy or pretentious.

Synonyms

• Tự cao: self-important, conceited.
• Ngạo mạn: arrogant, insolent.
• Hách dịch: bossy, imperious.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Kiêu kì như công": (Arrogant as a peacock). Used to describe someone who is very showy and full of themselves.
  • Cô ta lúc nào cũng kiêu kì như công. (She is always as arrogant as a peacock.)
• "Kiêu kì khinh người": (Haughty and scornful of others). Emphasizes the aspect of looking down on people.
  • Thái độ kiêu kì khinh người đó thật đáng ghét. (That haughty and scornful attitude is truly detestable.)