ngụy quân tử

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A false gentleman / a hypocritical moralist: A person who falsely presents themselves as a virtuous, noble, or principled "gentleman" (quân tử) but whose actions, character, or intentions are deceitful, self-serving, or immoral. The term implies a deliberate and hypocritical disguise of one's true, inferior nature.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hắn ta là một kẻ ngụy quân tử, luôn nói về đạo đức nhưng hành động thì trái ngược. (He is a false gentleman, always talking about morality but acting in opposition.)
  • Đừng tin những lời hoa mỹ của bọn ngụy quân tử. (Do not believe the flowery words of those hypocritical moralists.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in literary, political, or social commentary to criticize individuals in positions of authority or influence who are perceived as corrupt or duplicitous behind a facade of righteousness.
  • Trong tác phẩm, nhân vật quan lớn được miêu tả như một tên ngụy quân tử điển hình. (In the literary work, the high-ranking mandarin is portrayed as a classic false gentleman.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giả nhân giả nghĩa (idiom): To pretend to be benevolent and righteous; a hypocrite.
  • Kẻ giả nhân giả nghĩa thường bị lộ mặt. (A person who pretends to be benevolent and righteous often gets exposed.)

Synonyms

• Hypocrite: A person who pretends to have virtues, moral or religious beliefs, principles, etc., that they do not actually possess.
• Fraud: A person who makes deceitful pretenses.
• Charlatan: A person falsely claiming to have a special knowledge or skill.

Related Idioms

• Mặt người dạ thú: Literally "a human face but an animal's heart"; meaning a person who appears civilized but is savage or cruel inside.
  • Tên ngụy quân tử ấy thực chất là mặt người dạ thú. (That false gentleman is essentially a wolf in sheep's clothing.)