Definition

1. Verb:
   • To scoff; to laugh at: To express contempt or scorn for someone or something, often through mocking laughter or derisive words.
   • To be disdainful; to show contempt: To regard or treat with haughty contempt; to consider someone or something as unworthy of respect.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Anh ấy ngạo tất cả những lời khuyên từ người khác. (He scoffs at all advice from others.)
  • Đừng ngạo người nghèo. (Do not look down upon the poor.)
  • Thái độ ngạo đời của hắn khiến mọi người khó chịu. (His disdainful attitude towards life makes everyone uncomfortable.)

Advanced Usage

• "ngạo mạn": arrogant, haughty. (This is a compound word listed here as a related term).

  • Kẻ ngạo mạn thường cô độc. (Arrogant people are often lonely.)

• "ngạo nghễ": defiantly proud, holding one's head high with pride, often in a challenging context.

  • Anh đứng đó với vẻ mặt ngạo nghễ. (He stood there with a defiantly proud expression.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngạo mạn (adj): Arrogant, haughty.
• Ngạo nghễ (adj): Defiantly proud, insolently proud.
• Kiêu ngạo (adj): Proud, arrogant. (This is a synonym compound where "kiêu" also conveys pride).

Synonyms

• Khinh thường: To despise, to scorn.
• Coi thường: To look down upon, to belittle.
• Chế nhạo: To mock, to ridicule (often with more focus on verbal mockery).

Notes on Meaning

• The core meaning of "ngạo" involves a sense of superiority and the active expression of contempt, either through attitude, words, or laughter. It is stronger than simply ignoring someone; it implies an active, scornful dismissal.
• It often describes an internal attitude (ngạo đời - disdainful of the world) that manifests in external behavior.

verb

1. to scoff; to laugh at