ma đạo
Definition
Noun:
- Devious path; wicked way: Refers to cunning, deceitful, or morally corrupt methods and practices. It describes a path of trickery and underhandedness.
- Sorcery; black magic: Can refer to practices involving dark magic, witchcraft, or the occult.
Adjective:
- Devious; treacherous; wicked: Describes a person, action, or method that is characterized by cunning, deceit, and moral corruption.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- Hắn ta đi vào ma đạo. (He has gone down a wicked path.)
- Truyền thuyết kể về pháp sư dùng ma đạo. (Legends tell of a sorcerer who used black magic.)
Adjective:
- Âm mưu đó thật ma đạo. (That plot is truly devious.)
- Hắn có một trí tuệ ma đạo. (He has a treacherous cunning.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in literary or dramatic contexts to describe profound moral corruption or mystical evil, beyond simple dishonesty.
Variants and Related Words
- Tà đạo (n): Heresy; wicked doctrine. A related concept often contrasting with righteous or orthodox paths.
- Yêu đạo (n): Demonic way; path of demons. Often used similarly in folklore and fantasy.
Synonyms
- Deviousness: The quality of being deceitful and underhanded.
- Treachery: Betrayal of trust; deceptive action.
- Sorcery: The use of magic, especially evil magic.
Related Idioms
- Bước chân vào ma đạo: To set foot on the wicked path; to begin a life of corruption or dark practices.
- Sai lầm tuổi trẻ khiến anh ta bước chân vào ma đạo. (The mistakes of youth led him to set foot on the wicked path.)