lâp tâm

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Malicious intent / Evil intention: The deliberate formation of a plan or desire to do something bad, harmful, or wicked. It implies premeditation and a conscious decision to engage in wrongful action.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hắn có lập tâm hại người. (He has malicious intent to harm others.)
  • Không ai nghi ngờ lập tâm phá hoại của nó. (No one suspected his evil intention to sabotage.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal, literary, or legal contexts to describe the premeditated nature of a bad action. It is stronger than simply having a "bad thought" and indicates a settled, determined plan.

Variants and Related Words

• Ác tâm (n): evil heart, malice. (A more common synonym for evil intention.)
• Ác ý (n): ill will, malicious intent. (Often used for a specific malicious purpose.)
• Dự tâm (n): intention, design. (Can be neutral or bad, depending on context.)

Synonyms

• Malice: The intention or desire to do evil.
• Ill will: Unfriendly or hostile feelings leading to harmful intent.
• Premeditation: The action of planning something (especially a crime) beforehand.

Related Idioms

• Lập tâm bất chính: To set one's mind on unrighteous/devious purposes.
  • Kẻ ấy lập tâm bất chính ngay từ đầu. (That person set his mind on devious purposes from the very beginning.)