ma mãnh
Definition
- Adjective:
- Cunning; Sly; Crafty: Describes a person who is clever in a deceptive, tricky, or underhanded way, often using intelligence to achieve goals through deceit or manipulation.
- Wily; Shrewd: Suggests sharp intelligence and resourcefulness, often with a connotation of being artful or scheming.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đứa trẻ đó rất ma mãnh, luôn tìm cách lấy được đồ chơi của bạn. (That child is very cunning, always finding a way to get his friend's toy.)
- Hắn ta có một nụ cười ma mãnh. (He has a sly smile.)
- Tên tội phạm dùng thủ đoạn ma mãnh để qua mặt cảnh sát. (The criminal used crafty tricks to fool the police.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often implies a level of cleverness that is morally questionable or used for self-interest. It can describe a character trait or a specific action.
Variants and Related Words
Mưu mẹo (n): A trick, a scheme, a stratagem. This is a related noun focusing on the cunning plan itself.
- Hắn đầy mưu mẹo. (He is full of schemes.)
Quỷ quyệt (adj): Devilishly cunning, treacherous. This is a stronger, more negative synonym.
- Âm mưu quỷ quyệt. (A devilish plot.)
Synonyms
- Cunning: Skilled in deception.
- Sly: Clever in a secretive, deceitful manner.
- Crafty: Skilled at using underhanded tactics.
- Wily: Full of clever tricks.
- Astute: Having sharp judgment, but often without the negative connotation.
Related Idioms
- Ma mãnh như cáo: As sly as a fox. This idiom directly compares a person's cunning to the stereotypical cleverness of a fox.
- Kẻ đó ma mãnh như cáo, đừng tin hắn. (That guy is as sly as a fox, don't trust him.)