phản phúc
Definition
- Adjective:
- Treacherous / Perfidious: Describes a person or action that is deceitful, untrustworthy, and prone to betrayal, often involving a sudden reversal of loyalty or promise.
- Fickle / Capricious: Characterized by unpredictable changes in attitude, allegiance, or opinion, showing a lack of steadfastness.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Hắn ta là một kẻ phản phúc, không bao giờ giữ lời hứa. (He is a treacherous person who never keeps his promises.)
- Tính phản phúc của đối tác khiến công việc kinh doanh gặp nhiều rủi ro. (The partner's fickle nature poses many risks to the business.)
- Lịch sử lên án những hành động phản phúc. (History condemns perfidious actions.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in formal or literary contexts to describe profound betrayal, especially in politics, relationships, or historical narratives.
- It can modify abstract nouns like "tính cách" (character) or "hành động" (action) to emphasize a deep-seated trait of disloyalty.
Variants and Related Words
Phản trắc (adj): A near-synonymous variant meaning treacherous, disloyal.
- Âm mưu phản trắc. (A treacherous plot.)
Phản bội (v): To betray.
- Phản bội tổ quốc. (To betray one's country.)
Synonyms
- Treacherous: Guilty of or involving betrayal of trust.
- Perfidious: Deceitful and untrustworthy.
- Fickle: Changing frequently, especially in loyalties or affections.
- Unreliable: Not able to be relied upon.
Related Idioms
Lật mặt như bánh tráng: To turn one's coat as easily as flipping a rice paper (to describe someone who is very fickle or treacherous).
- Đừng tin hắn, hắn có thể lật mặt như bánh tráng. (Don't trust him; he can turn on you in an instant.)
Ăn cháo đá bát: To bite the hand that feeds you (to be ungrateful and betray a benefactor).
- Hành động của hắn đúng là ăn cháo đá bát. (His action is truly a betrayal of kindness.)