phớt tỉnh
Definition
- Adjective:
- Feigning indifference or ignorance; pretending not to know or care: A deliberate act of ignoring something or someone, often by pretending to be completely unaware or unconcerned. It implies a conscious choice to disregard.
- Nonchalant; acting aloof: Behaving in a casually calm and uninterested manner, especially toward something that might normally provoke a reaction.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nó biết hết mọi chuyện nhưng vẫn phớt tỉnh như không. (He knew everything but still feigned ignorance as if he didn't.)
- Cô ấy chỉ phớt tỉnh bước đi khi nghe thấy lời chê bai. (She just walked on nonchalantly when she heard the criticism.)
Advanced Usage
- This word often describes a strategic or defensive social behavior. It is used when someone intentionally avoids engagement, confrontation, or acknowledgment to maintain composure, avoid trouble, or show contempt.
Variants and Related Words
- Phớt lờ (v): to ignore, to disregard deliberately.
- Anh ta phớt lờ tất cả các câu hỏi. (He ignored all the questions.)
Synonyms
- Ignore deliberately: To consciously refuse to acknowledge.
- Feign ignorance: To pretend not to know.
- Be nonchalant: To appear casually unconcerned.
- Disregard: To pay no attention to.
Related Idioms
- While "phớt tỉnh" itself is idiomatic, it is closely related in tone to the behavior described in the idiom:
- Làm ngơ: to turn a blind eye.
- Mọi người đều làm ngơ trước sự việc đó. (Everyone turned a blind eye to that matter.)