The Vietnamese word "kênh kiệu" refers to a behavior where someone acts in a way that suggests they think they are better or more important than others. It can be translated in English as "putting on airs" or "behaving superciliously." When someone is being "kênh kiệu," they often seem proud or arrogant, and they may look down on others.
You can use "kênh kiệu" to describe a person who is overly proud or who shows off their wealth or status. It is often used in a negative context, implying that the person's attitude is annoying or off-putting.
In more advanced contexts, "kênh kiệu" can be used to describe not just individual behavior, but also the attitude of groups or cultures that appear elitist or snobbish. For instance, you might say that a certain social circle is very "kênh kiệu" if they exclude others based on status.
While "kênh kiệu" primarily refers to arrogance or pretension, it can also describe a situation where someone is overly proud of something trivial, such as a minor achievement or possession.