Definition

1. Noun:
   • The people at large, the world, society: Refers to people in general, the collective community, or public opinion. It often implies the judgment, gaze, or common practices of society.
   • A simpleton, a dolt: A derogatory term for a foolish, naive, or slow-witted person. This meaning is often used in exclamations of frustration or contempt.

Usage Examples

• Noun (people at large):

  • Đừng làm gì để người đời cười chê. (Do not do anything that would make the world at large sneer and criticize.)
  • Anh ấy không quan tâm đến lời dị nghị của người đời. (He does not care about the gossip of society.)

• Noun (simpleton):

  • Có thể mà không hiểu, rõ người đời! (Such a simple thing and you don't understand it, what a dolt!)
  • Đừng có làm trò người đời ấy nữa! (Stop acting like such a fool!)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a moral or judgmental connotation when referring to "the world," highlighting concerns about reputation, social norms, and public perception.
• When used to mean "simpleton," it is typically informal and can be considered rude or dismissive.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiên hạ (n): The world, everyone under heaven; often used similarly to "người đời" in its first meaning.
  • Thiên hạ đều biết chuyện đó. (The whole world knows about that.)

Synonyms

• People at large: society, the public, the world, everyone.
• Simpleton: fool, idiot, dolt, dunce.

Related Idioms

• Miệng thế gian / Tiếng đời: The mouth of the world / the voice of society; refers to gossip or public opinion.
  • Chịu đựng nổi miệng thế gian là điều khó. (It is difficult to endure the gossip of society.)
• Đời (dân gian): Often used in proverbs or folk wisdom to represent common experience or worldly ways.
  • Ăn ở có đức, đời không phụ. (Live virtuously, and the world will not let you down.)

1. the people at large, the world at large
   • Đừng làm gì để người đời cười chê
     Not to do anything
2. Dullard, dolt
   • Có thể mà không hiểu, rõ người đời!
     What a dolt! Think that he does not understand even such a simple thing