Definition

1. Idiom:
   • Fickle in love; unfaithful; promiscuous: A figurative expression describing a person, typically in romantic contexts, who is inconstant, changes partners frequently, or is emotionally unfaithful. The literal imagery is "morning with plums, evening with peaches," suggesting a swift shift of affection from one object of desire to another.

Usage Examples

• Idiom:
  • Anh ta có tiếng là sớm mận tối đào, chẳng ai tin anh ấy sẽ ổn định. (He has a reputation for being fickle; no one believes he will settle down.)
  • Cô ấy chán người yêu cũ nhanh chóng, đúng là kiểu sớm mận tối đào. (She got bored with her old boyfriend quickly, truly the "morning plums, evening peaches" type.)

Advanced Usage

• The idiom is used almost exclusively to criticize a person's lack of commitment or loyalty in romantic or sexual relationships. It carries a strong negative connotation of frivolity and unreliability.

Variants and Related Words

• Trăng hoa (adj): Promiscuous, philandering.

  • Tính trăng hoa của anh ấy khiến mọi người không tin tưởng. (His promiscuous nature makes people distrust him.)

• Lẳng lơ (adj): Flirtatious, coquettish (often used for women).

  • Cô ấy bị cho là lẳng lơ vì cách cư xử với đàn ông. (She is considered flirtatious because of her behavior with men.)

Synonyms

• Fickle: Likely to change loyalties or affections.
• Unfaithful: Not loyal in a romantic relationship.
• Philandering: (Especially of a man) readily or frequently entering into casual sexual relationships.

Related Idioms

• Cả thèm chóng chán: Quickly fond of something but also quickly bored with it; describes a fleeting, superficial interest.

  • Tính cả thèm chóng chán dẫn đến chuyện sớm mận tối đào. (A "quick to like, quick to dislike" nature leads to being fickle in love.)

• Lòng lang dạ thú: Having the heart of a wolf and the guts of a beast; meaning cruel and ungrateful.

  • Hắn ta không chỉ sớm mận tối đào mà còn lòng lang dạ thú. (He is not only fickle but also cruel and ungrateful.)