Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unjust; unrighteous: Describes an action, cause, or thing that is contrary to moral principles, justice, or righteousness. It implies a fundamental lack of ethical justification.
   • Ill-gotten: Specifically refers to wealth, possessions, or gains acquired through dishonest, unfair, or immoral means.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chiến tranh phi nghĩa. (An unjust war.)
  • Của phi nghĩa. (Ill-gotten wealth.)
  • Hành động đó là phi nghĩa. (That action is unrighteous.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in formal, literary, or moral discourse to strongly condemn an act or its results. It carries a weight of ethical judgment.

Variants and Related Words

• Bất nghĩa (adj): Ungrateful, unfilial; also sometimes used to mean unrighteous, though with a stronger emphasis on betrayal of loyalty or duty.
• Vô đạo đức (adj): Immoral, unethical. While similar, is a broader term for immorality, whereas often specifically denotes a violation of justice or righteousness.

Synonyms

• Unjust: Not based on or behaving according to fairness.
• Unrighteous: Not morally right or virtuous.
• Ill-gotten: Acquired by illegal or dishonest methods.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Của phi nghĩa có giàu đâu: An idiom meaning "Ill-gotten, ill-spent" or "Easy come, easy go." It conveys that wealth obtained unjustly will not bring lasting prosperity or happiness.
  • Anh ta kiếm tiền bất chính, nhưng của phi nghĩa có giàu đâu. (He earned money dishonestly, but ill-gotten gains never prosper.)

1. Unjust, unrightteous, ill-gotten
   • Chiến tranh phi nghĩa
     An unjust war
   • Của phi nghĩa
     Ill-gotten wealth
   • Của phi nghĩa có giàu đâu
     Ill-gotten, ill-spent