sài cẩu

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Golden jackal: A wild canine species (Canis aureus) with golden or yellowish fur, known for its scavenging behavior.
   • (Figurative, archaic/derogatory): A contemptible person who preys on or exploits the weak or the dead, likened to the animal's scavenging nature.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Tiếng hú của con sài cẩu vang lên trong đêm. (The howl of the golden jackal echoed in the night.)
  • Trong câu chuyện, hắn bị gọi là đồ sài cẩu vì hay moi móc chuyện người đã khuất. (In the story, he was called a jackal for often digging up matters concerning the deceased.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is rarely used in modern conversational Vietnamese and is primarily found in older literary, zoological, or figurative contexts. Its figurative use carries strong negative connotations.

Variants and Related Words

• Chó rừng (n): Jackal (a more common, general term for jackal).
  • Bầy chó rừng đang săn mồi. (A pack of jackals is hunting.)

Synonyms

• Golden jackal (primary zoological term).
• Scavenger (for the figurative meaning).
• Exploiter (for the figurative meaning).

Related Idioms

• There are no common idioms directly using "sài cẩu." Its offensive figurative meaning is typically used as a standalone noun for insult or characterization.