Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Arrogant; haughty: Having or showing an exaggerated opinion of one's own importance, abilities, or worth, often accompanied by a disdainful attitude towards others.
   • Proud (often in a negative sense): Feeling deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, but with a connotation of being overly pleased with oneself and looking down on others.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ta rất kiêu và không bao giờ chịu lắng nghe ý kiến của người khác. (He is very arrogant and never listens to others' opinions.)
  • Đừng thấy thắng mà sinh kiêu. (Don't become arrogant just because you've won.)
  • Cô ấy có vẻ kiêu vì gia đình rất giàu có. (She seems haughty because her family is very wealthy.)

Advanced Usage

• Literary/Idiomatic Use: The word can appear in classical or poetic descriptions, often related to physical posture or appearance that conveys pride.
  • Cổ kiêu ba ngấn. (A neck with three folds/creases.) This is a classical Vietnamese poetic phrase describing a beautiful, slender, and gracefully held neck, indirectly conveying an image of pride and elegance.

Variants and Related Words

• Kiêu căng (adj): A compound word combining "kiêu" and "căng" (stretched, tense), meaning arrogant, conceited, and overbearing. This is a stronger and more common variant.
  • Thái độ kiêu căng của anh ấy khiến mọi người khó chịu. (His arrogant attitude makes everyone uncomfortable.)
• Kiêu hãnh (adj): A compound word meaning proud, but often in a positive sense of having legitimate pride in one's achievements, country, or heritage. It is less negative than "kiêu" alone.
  • Cô ấy kiêu hãnh về thành tích của mình. (She is proud of her achievements.)

Synonyms

• Tự cao: Conceited, self-important.
• Ngạo mạn: Arrogant, disdainful (stronger, more literary).
• Hách dịch: Bossy, imperious.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Mặt kiêu như mắm: (Face as arrogant as fermented fish sauce)
• Kiêu ngạo: (Arrogant and haughty)

adj

1. arrogant; proud; haughty