Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Smug, haughty, or arrogant: Describes a person who behaves in a way that shows they think they are more important, impressive, or superior to others. It implies putting on airs and an inflated sense of self-importance.
   • Pretentious, showy: Describes an attitude or behavior that is deliberately intended to attract attention and admiration, often in a way that seems artificial or excessive.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ta có thái độ rất phách lối. (He has a very haughty attitude.)
  • Đừng phách lối như vậy trước mặt mọi người. (Don't act so smug in front of everyone.)
  • Cô ấy kể về thành tích của mình một cách phách lối. (She boasted about her achievements in a pretentious way.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "phách lối" is often used to criticize someone's demeanor, highlighting a disconnect between their perceived self-importance and reality. It carries a strong negative connotation of disapproval.

Variants and Related Words

• Lên mặt (v): to put on airs, to act superior.

  • Hắn thích lên mặt với người khác. (He likes to put on airs with others.)

• Làm bộ làm tịch (idiomatic phrase): to put on an act, to behave affectedly.

  • Cô ấy cứ làm bộ làm tịch như một ngôi sao vậy. (She keeps putting on an act like a star.)

Synonyms

• Arrogant: having an exaggerated sense of one's own importance.
• Haughty: blatantly and disdainfully proud.
• Pretentious: attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
• Smug: having or showing an excessive pride in oneself or one's achievements.

Related Idioms

• Lên mặt dạy đời: to act superior and lecture others.

  • Anh ta chẳng biết gì nhưng thích lên mặt dạy đời. (He doesn't know anything but likes to act superior and lecture people.)

• Vênh váo: to be cocky, to swagger.

  • Thắng một trận đã bắt đầu vênh váo. (He won one match and started to swagger.)

adj

1. smiffy, haughty