Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Illegal, illicit, unlawful: Describes an action, activity, or situation that is not permitted by law, rules, or accepted moral standards. It implies something done in a secretive or improper manner, bypassing normal, legitimate channels.
   • Irregular, improper: Can describe something that is not done according to official, formal, or expected procedures.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Họ nghi ngờ có những giao dịch ngang tắt đằng sau. (They suspect there are illicit transactions behind the scenes.)
  • Mối quan hệ ngang tắt của họ đã bị phát hiện. (Their illicit relationship was discovered.)
  • Việc giải quyết công việc một cách ngang tắt thường dẫn đến rắc rối. (Settling matters in an irregular/improper way often leads to trouble.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a strong connotation of moral or social transgression, not just legal violation. It is frequently used in contexts involving corruption, infidelity, or bypassing official protocols.
• It can function attributively (before a noun) or predicatively (after a linking verb like "là" - is).

Variants and Related Words

• Bất hợp pháp (adj): illegal, unlawful. This is a more direct, formal synonym for the legal sense.
• Chui (adj, informal): clandestine, underground (e.g., - an unlicensed shop). This shares the connotation of being hidden from authorities.
• Lén lút (adj): furtive, stealthy. This emphasizes the secretive manner rather than the illegality itself.

Synonyms

• Illicit: Not permitted, unauthorized, often involving immoral behavior.
• Illegal: Contrary to or forbidden by law.
• Unlawful: Not conforming to, permitted by, or recognized by law or rules.
• Improper: Not in accordance with accepted rules or standards.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Làm ngang tắt: to do something illicitly or through improper shortcuts.
  • Hắn ta thích làm ngang tắt để kiếm lời nhanh. (He likes to operate illicitly to make a quick profit.)
• Đường ngang tắt: an illicit/shortcut path (often metaphorical).
  • Con đường ngang tắt trong kinh doanh cuối cùng sẽ khiến anh phải trả giá. (The illicit shortcut in business will eventually make you pay the price.)

1. Illegal, illicit
   • Quan hệ ngang tắt
     Illicit relationship