rởm đời

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Pretentious, phony, or tacky: Describes a person, behavior, or thing that is showy, artificial, or tries to appear sophisticated or fashionable in a crude, exaggerated, and ultimately unconvincing way. It implies a lack of authenticity and good taste.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective:
    • Anh ta mặc bộ vest ấy trông thật rởm đời. (He looks really tacky in that suit.)
    • Cô ấy có kiểu cười rởm đời khi ở chỗ đông người. (She has a phony laugh when she's in public.)
    • Đồ trang sức rởm đời đó không có giá trị gì. (That tacky jewelry has no value.)
Advanced Usage
  • The term is often used in a disapproving or mocking tone to criticize someone's attempt to show off or appear more impressive than they are. It can apply to style, manners, speech, or possessions.
Variants and Related Words
  • Giả tạo (adj): fake, artificial. (Focuses more on falseness than on showiness.)
  • Màu mè (adj): florid, overly ornate. (Focuses on excessive decoration.)
  • Khoe mẽ (v): to show off, to boast.
Synonyms
  • Tacky: showing poor quality and a lack of style.
  • Pretentious: attempting to impress by affecting greater importance or merit than is actually possessed.
  • Phony: not genuine; fraudulent.
Related Idioms and Phrases
  • Làm màu, làm điệu: to put on airs, to act affectedly. This phrase describes similar behavior but focuses more on the act of performing.
    • Cô ấy chỉ đang làm màu trước mặt sếp thôi. (She's just putting on airs in front of the boss.)