Definition

Verb: - To sully, to smear (someone's) name, to dishonor: The act of damaging or tarnishing someone's reputation, honor, or good name, often bringing shame upon them or a group they represent (like their family).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hành vi phản bội của anh ta đã nhơ danh cả dòng họ. (His act of betrayal sullied the reputation of the entire clan.)
  • Làm ăn gian dối, anh ấy tự nhơ danh chính mình. (By doing business dishonestly, he smeared his own name.)
  • Không muốn nhơ danh cha mẹ, cô ấy luôn cố gắng sống tốt. (Not wanting to dishonor her parents, she always tries to live a good life.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm nhơ danh": This is a common collocation emphasizing the action of causing dishonor.
  • Vụ bê bối đó đã làm nhơ danh công ty. (That scandal brought dishonor to the company.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhơ nhuốc (adj): Disgraceful, shameful. Describes a state of being dishonored or tarnished.
  • Hành động nhơ nhuốc (a disgraceful action)
• Danh dự (n): Honor, reputation. This is the concept that "nhơ danh" damages.
  • Bảo vệ danh dự gia đình (to protect the family's honor)
• Làm ô danh: A near-synonymous phrase meaning "to bring disgrace upon a name."

Synonyms

• Làm ô uế danh tiếng: To defile a reputation.
• Làm mất thể diện: To cause a loss of face/dignity.
• Làm xấu mặt: To bring shame upon (someone).

Notes on Meaning

This verb carries a strong moral and social weight. It is often used in contexts involving family, community, or institutional honor. The action typically brings collective shame, not just personal disgrace. The object of the verb is usually the reputation (danh) of a person or entity.

1. sully, smear (someone's) name
   • Nhơ danh cha mẹ
     To smear one's parents' name