Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Devilish; deeply cunning and malicious: Describes a person, their nature, or their actions as being profoundly deceitful, treacherous, and harmful, often in a hidden or insidious way. It implies a depth of calculated wickedness.
   • Sournois (from French reference): Sly, underhanded, malicious in a covert manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hắn ta là một kẻ sâu hiểm, luôn lập kế hoạch hại người sau lưng. (He is a devilish person, always planning to harm people behind their backs.)
  • Âm mưu của đối thủ thật sâu hiểm. (The rival's plot is truly devilish.)
  • Đừng tin vào vẻ ngoài thân thiện, bản chất nó rất sâu hiểm. (Don't trust the friendly appearance; its nature is very treacherous.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in literary or formal contexts to describe profound villainy or strategic malice. It carries a stronger connotation than simply "xảo quyệt" (cunning) by emphasizing depth and danger.

Variants and Related Words

• Sâu độc (adj): Deeply poisonous/toxic; vicious and cruel.
• Hiểm độc (adj): Malicious and venomous.
• Thâm hiểm (adj): Profoundly insidious; deep and treacherous (very close synonym).

Synonyms

• Treacherous: Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.
• Insidious: Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
• Devious: Showing a skillful use of underhanded tactics to achieve goals.
• Malicious: Characterized by malice; intending to do harm.

Related Idioms

• Lòng dạ sâu hiểm: A devilish heart; refers to a deeply malicious and scheming nature.
  • Kẻ phản bội có lòng dạ sâu hiểm. (The traitor has a devilish heart.)

1. Devilish