Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Ironical, sarcastic: Expressing the opposite of the literal meaning of the words, often to mock, criticize, or convey contempt.
   • Bitterly incongruous, sadly contradictory: Describing a situation or outcome that is cruelly or sadly opposite to what is expected or considered appropriate.

2. Verb (to act/speak mỉa mai):

   • To speak ironically/sarcastically: To say something by expressing the opposite of its literal meaning, often with a mocking or scornful intent.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Anh ấy nói với giọng điệu mỉa mai. (He spoke in an ironical/sarcastic tone.)
  • Đó là một sự thật mỉa mai của số phận. (That is a bitterly ironic truth of fate.)
  • Nụ cười mỉa mai của cô ấy khiến mọi người khó chịu. (Her mocking/ironic smile made people uncomfortable.)

• Verb:

  • Đừng mỉa mai người khác như thế. (Don't speak sarcastically to others like that.)
  • Anh ta thích mỉa mai những kẻ tự phụ. (He likes to mock/ridicule the arrogant ones.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đầy vẻ mỉa mai": full of irony/sarcasm.

  • Câu trả lời của cô ấy đầy vẻ mỉa mai. (Her answer was full of sarcasm.)

• "Sự mỉa mai" (noun): irony, sarcasm.

  • Sự mỉa mai của hoàn cảnh thật khó chấp nhận. (The irony of the situation is hard to accept.)

Variants and Related Words

• Châm biếm (verb/adjective): to satirize; satirical. (Often more literary or formal than , focusing on criticism through wit.)
• Chế nhạo (verb): to mock, to ridicule. (Focuses more on scornful laughter rather than verbal irony.)
• Giễu cợt (verb): to deride, to scoff at. (Similar to mocking, often contemptuous.)

Synonyms

• Ironical (adj): having the quality of irony.
• Sarcastic (adj): using irony to mock or convey contempt.
• Mocking (adj): scornful, ridiculing.
• Cynical (adj): distrustful of human sincerity; can overlap in expressing scornful doubt.

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Mỉa mai một cách tàn nhẫn: to be cruelly ironic.

  • Số phận mỉa mai một cách tàn nhẫn. (Fate is cruelly ironic.)

• Lời nói mỉa mai: sarcastic/ironic remark.

  • Anh ta không thể chịu nổi những lời nói mỉa mai đó. (He couldn't stand those sarcastic remarks.)

adj

1. ironical