Definition

1. Noun:
   • A self-styled superior; a person who acts as if they are above others: Refers to an individual who arrogantly assumes a position of superiority, often without legitimate authority, and behaves condescendingly towards others.
   • An elder; a senior person: In a traditional or hierarchical context, it can refer to a person who holds a respected senior position within a family or community.

Usage Examples

• Noun (self-styled superior):

  • Anh ta luôn dùng giọng điệu kẻ cả khi nói chuyện với đồng nghiệp. (He always uses a superior tone when talking to his colleagues.)
  • Đừng tỏ ra kẻ cả như thể cậu biết mọi thứ. (Don't act like a self-styled superior as if you know everything.)

• Noun (elder/senior):

  • Cụ là kẻ cả, có uy tín lớn trong làng. (The elder is a senior person with great prestige in the village.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used pejoratively to criticize someone's arrogant attitude. When used in the sense of "elder," it is more neutral and denotes respect for age or status, though this usage is less common in modern everyday speech.

Variants and Related Words

• Giọng kẻ cả / Điệu bộ kẻ cả (n): A superior tone; a condescending manner.
  • Sếp của tôi thường nói với giọng kẻ cả. (My boss often speaks with a superior tone.)

Synonyms

• Condescending person: Someone who behaves as if they are superior.
• Superior: A person of higher rank (can be neutral or negative depending on context).
• Elder: A senior member of a group.

Related Idioms

• Lên giọng kẻ cả: To put on a superior air; to speak condescendingly.
  • Anh ấy không có quyền lên giọng kẻ cả với tôi. (He has no right to speak to me condescendingly.)

1. Self-styled superior
   • Nói giọng kẻ cả
     To speak in the stone of a self-styled superior, to speak in a superior tone
2. Elder, senior.
   • "Bác là kẻ cả trong làng". (Trạng Quỳnh)
     You are of the village 's elders'number