Definition

1. Adjective (colloquial):

   • Gallant; excessively flattering towards women: Describes a man who habitually uses charm, flattery, and attentiveness to please women, often with the aim of gaining favor or romantic interest. The term carries a slightly vulgar or mocking connotation, implying the behavior is insincere or overdone.

2. Noun (colloquial):

   • A lady's man; a flirt; a charmer: Refers to a man who exhibits the behavior described above. It labels a man whose primary social skill is flattering women.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Anh ta có cách nói chuyện rất nịnh đầm. (He has a very gallant/flattering way of talking.)
  • Cử chỉ nịnh đầm của hắn khiến cô ấy khó chịu. (His gallant gestures made her uncomfortable.)

• Noun:

  • Hắn ta nổi tiếng là một tay nịnh đầm. (He is famous for being a lady's man.)
  • Mấy anh chàng nịnh đầm thường không đáng tin. (Those lady's men are often not trustworthy.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "nịnh đầm" is considered informal and somewhat vulgar. It is more critical than neutral terms like "galant" (borrowed from French) or "lịch thiệp" (gentlemanly). It suggests a lack of sincerity and a calculated performance.

Variants and Related Words

• Nịnh (v): to flatter, to butter up. This is the root verb.

  • Anh ấy thích nịnh sếp. (He likes to flatter the boss.)

• Đầm (n, colloquial, from French "dame"): a lady; a woman. This is an old-fashioned slang term for a woman.

Synonyms

• Gallant (often used ironically)
• Flatterer (when referring to the person)
• Lady's man
• Flirt

Related Idioms

• Nịnh hót / Nịnh nọt: to flatter obsequiously (general, not specific to women).

  • Hắn chỉ giỏi nịnh nọt cấp trên. (He's only good at flattering his superiors.)

• Ăn nói ngọt ngào: to speak sweetly (can be sincere or insincere).

  • Anh chàng đó ăn nói ngọt ngào quá, nghe nịnh đầm lắm. (That guy speaks so sweetly, it sounds very gallant/flattering.)

1. (thông tục)Gallant
   • Anh chàng nịnh đầm
     Lady's man