phô tài
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To show off one's talent or skill: To deliberately display one's abilities, cleverness, or expertise, often to gain admiration or impress others. It carries a connotation of ostentation or boastful exhibition.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Anh ta không ngừng phô tài trong cuộc họp. (He constantly showed off his talent during the meeting.)
- Cô ấy thích phô tài nấu ăn trước mặt khách. (She likes to show off her cooking skills in front of guests.)
- Đừng phô tài quá mức, hãy khiêm tốn. (Don't show off your talent excessively; be humble.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used in slightly critical or observational contexts to describe someone who is being ostentatious about their capabilities, rather than simply demonstrating them naturally.
Variants and Related Words
- Khoe khoang (v): to boast, to brag (more general, not specific to talent).
- Thể hiện (v): to express, to demonstrate (a more neutral term for showing skill).
Synonyms
- To flaunt one's talent: To display one's skill in a bold or conspicuous way.
- To parade one's skill: To show off one's ability as if in a parade.
- To exhibit one's prowess: A more formal synonym for displaying great skill.
Related Idioms
- Phô trương thanh thế: to show off one's power or influence (related concept focusing on status rather than talent).
- Treo đầu dê, bán thịt chó: literally "to hang up a goat's head but sell dog meat"; meaning to falsely advertise or misrepresent one's abilities (an antonymic concept about deception versus genuine skill).