Definition

1. Adjective phrase:
   • To make light of feelings; to treat feelings lightly or with insufficient seriousness: "nhẹ tình" describes the attitude or action of not valuing, respecting, or taking someone's emotions or a relationship seriously enough. It implies a lack of depth, commitment, or proper regard for emotional bonds.

Usage

• "Nhẹ tình" is used to criticize someone for being frivolous, inconsiderate, or dismissive in matters of emotion or relationship.
• It often describes a character flaw where a person treats deep feelings (like love, friendship, familial bonds) as trivial.
• Common structure: "nhẹ tình" + [type of relationship/feeling] (e.g., nhẹ tình anh em, nhẹ tình bạn bè, nhẹ tình yêu).

Usage Examples

• Adjective phrase: (He is criticized by everyone for making light of fraternal bonds.) (Don't treat lightly those who genuinely care for you.) (That statement proves she is very frivolous in matters of the heart.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhẹ tình nhẹ nghĩa": A common extended phrase emphasizing a lack of regard for both (feelings/affection) and (righteousness/loyalty/duty). It describes a profoundly untrustworthy or shallow character. (He is a person of shallow affection and loyalty, never knowing how to cherish others.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hời hợt (adj): Superficial, shallow (can describe feelings or relationships). Less severe than "nhẹ tình". (His affection is so superficial.)
• Vô tình (adj): Heartless, indifferent, unfeeling. Stronger, implying a complete lack of feeling. (He was heartless to abandon his friends in times of difficulty.)

Synonyms

• Coi thường tình cảm: To look down on/disdain feelings.
• Bạc tình (adj): Fickle, inconstant in love/affection; often used similarly to "nhẹ tình" but can imply betrayal.
• Thiếu nghiêm túc trong chuyện tình cảm: Not serious in matters of emotion.

Related Idioms

• "Ăn ở bạc tình": To live/behave in a fickle or ungrateful manner towards someone's affection. (That fickle person was ultimately abandoned.)
• "Chơi với tình": To "play" with love/feelings; to treat romance as a game. (He only knows how to play with love, never sincere.)

1. Make light of (some) feeling
   • Nhẹ tình anh em
     To make light of fraternal feeling