Definition

Verb: - To inadvertently bring bad luck or misfortune upon someone or something by praising them. This is based on a Vietnamese folk belief that excessive or untimely praise can attract negative energy or jinx the subject of the praise.

Usage

• The verb quở quang is used to describe the superstitious act of causing bad luck through praise. It is typically used in contexts where someone's positive comment is followed by an unfortunate event, reinforcing the belief in the "jinx."
• It often appears in narratives or expressions of caution against praising too much, especially regarding children's health or appearance.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Đừng khen con nhiều quá, sợ bị quở quang. (Don't praise the child too much, I'm afraid it might jinx them.)
  • Nhiều người nói cô ấy xinh, nhưng tôi không dám nói vì sợ quở quang. (Many people say she is beautiful, but I don't dare say it for fear of jinxing her.)
  • Thằng bé mới khỏi ốm, đừng khen kẻo bị quở quang. (The boy just recovered from an illness; don't praise him or you might jinx him.)

Advanced Usage

• The concept is deeply rooted in Vietnamese folk belief and is often invoked as a superstitious warning. It is not used in formal or scientific contexts.
• It can be used reflexively or passively in construction, e.g., "bị quở quang" (to be jinxed by praise).

Variants and Related Words

• Quở (verb): To scold, to reprimand. (Note: While "quở" alone means to scold, in the compound "quở quang," it takes on this specific superstitious meaning related to praise.)
• Quở trách (verb): To reproach, to blame.
• Xui xẻo (adj/noun): Bad luck, unfortunate. (This is a general term for misfortune, not specifically caused by praise.)

Synonyms

• Gây xui xẻo (bằng lời khen): To cause bad luck (through praise). (This is a descriptive phrase rather than a single-word synonym.)
• Làm hại (bằng cách khen ngợi): To harm (by praising). (A literal explanation of the superstitious effect.)

Notes on Meaning

• quở quang is a specific cultural and superstitious term. It does not have a direct, single-word equivalent in English. The closest translation is a phrase like "to jinx by praising" or "to bring bad luck through praise."
• The belief reflects a traditional caution against attracting the "evil eye" or negative attention through overt admiration, especially for vulnerable subjects like children.

1. Put a jinx on (bring bad luck on) by a praise
   • Thằng bé béo tốt ra, nhiều người quở quang
     The little boy has put on a lot of flesh and many people may bring bad luck on him by a praise