Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Worldly-wise / experienced in life: Describes a person who possesses significant practical knowledge, understanding, and judgment gained from direct involvement in life's events and challenges. It implies a seasoned, savvy, and often shrewd perspective.
   • Sophisticated / street-smart: Suggests a level of social and practical acumen, an understanding of how the world works, often beyond one's years.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cậu bé mới mười lăm tuổi nhưng nói chuyện rất sõi đời. (The boy is only fifteen but speaks in a very worldly-wise manner.)
  • Bà ấy là một người sõi đời, từng trải qua nhiều thăng trầm. (She is an experienced person who has been through many ups and downs.)
  • Anh ta tỏ ra sõi đời hơn so với các bạn cùng lứa. (He appears more street-smart than his peers.)

Advanced Usage

• The term often carries a nuanced connotation. While positive in denoting experience, it can sometimes imply a certain degree of cynicism, jadedness, or a loss of innocence due to that experience.
  • Sự sõi đời của anh ấy khiến anh không còn dễ dàng tin tưởng người khác. (His world-weariness makes him no longer easily trust others.)

Variants and Related Words

• Từng trải (adj): experienced, having gone through many life experiences. This is a close synonym, often used interchangeably with "sõi đời."
  • Ông ấy là một người từng trải. (He is an experienced man.)

Synonyms

• Experienced: Having knowledge or skill from observation or participation.
• Worldly-wise: Having a practical understanding of human affairs.
• Seasoned: Rendered competent through trial and experience.
• Savvy: Shrewd and knowledgeable.

Related Idioms

• Sống lâu lên lão làng: An idiom meaning "the longer you live, the more experienced you become." It shares the theme of gaining wisdom through life experience, similar to being "sõi đời."
  • Đúng là sống lâu lên lão làng, cụ nhìn nhận vấn đề rất sâu sắc. (It's true that with age comes wisdom; the elder perceives the issue very profoundly.)