mạnh cánh
Definition
- Adjective (colloquial):
- Having powerful backing or support: Refers to a person, group, or entity that is protected, supported, or enabled by a powerful individual, organization, or system. This often implies the ability to act with impunity or significant advantage.
- Belonging to a powerful group: Indicates membership in a dominant, influential, or formidable collective, which provides strength and protection.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Hắn ta làm gì cũng được vì có mạnh cánh. (He can do anything because he has powerful backing.)
- Công ty đó mạnh cánh nên không sợ đối thủ cạnh tranh. (That company has strong backing, so it isn't afraid of competitors.)
- Nhóm ấy mạnh cánh lắm, đừng có đụng vào. (That group is very well-connected; don't mess with them.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in contexts involving privilege, corruption, nepotism, or unfair advantage within bureaucratic, business, or social hierarchies. It carries a slightly vulgar or critical connotation, highlighting an unfair power dynamic.
Variants and Related Words
- Có hậu thuẫn mạnh: To have strong backing/support (a more formal equivalent).
- Họ có hậu thuẫn mạnh từ chính phủ. (They have strong backing from the government.)
Synonyms
- Well-connected: Having influential associates.
- Powerfully backed: Supported by a powerful force.
- Under the wing of: Being protected by a powerful patron.
Related Idioms
Có chỗ dựa vững chắc: To have a solid support to rely on.
- Anh ấy thành công vì có chỗ dựa vững chắc. (He succeeded because he had solid backing.)
Thế lực ngầm: Underlying/behind-the-scenes power (often used in similar contexts of hidden influence).
- Đằng sau vụ đó là một thế lực ngầm mạnh cánh. (Behind that incident is a powerfully backed hidden force.)