nhạo đời
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To mock the world / to scorn society: To express cynical amusement, disdain, or ridicule towards conventional societal values, norms, and people. It implies a deliberate attitude of contemptuous jesting at the serious aspects of life and society.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Anh ta có thái độ nhạo đời, chẳng coi trọng điều gì. (He has a scornful attitude towards society, not valuing anything.)
- Đừng nên nhạo đời như vậy, cuộc sống cần sự nghiêm túc. (You shouldn't mock the world like that; life requires seriousness.)
- Những câu nói nhạo đời của ông ấy khiến nhiều người khó chịu. (His cynical remarks made many people uncomfortable.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often describes a persistent personal attitude or worldview, not just a single action. It is used to characterize someone who adopts a pose of being above or dismissive of common societal concerns.
Variants and Related Words
Chế nhạo (v): to ridicule, to deride (a specific target).
- Cậu ấy thích chế nhạo bạn bè. (He likes to ridicule his friends.)
Mỉa mai (v/adj): to be sarcastic, sardonic.
- Giọng nói mỉa mai của cô ấy thật sắc lẻm. (Her sarcastic tone was very sharp.)
Synonyms
- To be cynical: To believe that people are motivated purely by self-interest; to be distrustful of human sincerity.
- To be contemptuous: Showing scorn; lacking respect.
- To scoff at: To speak about something in a scornfully derisive or mocking way.
Related Idioms
- While "nhạo đời" itself is a set phrase, it is conceptually related to attitudes expressed in idioms like:
- Cười cợt trên nỗi đau của người khác: To laugh at/jest about others' pain (illustrates a similar contemptuous attitude).
- Xem thường thiên hạ: To look down on everyone.