Definition

1. Noun:
   • (Ironic) talent; (so-called) ability: Used to sarcastically describe someone's perceived or self-proclaimed skill, competence, or talent, which is in reality insignificant, lacking, or non-existent. It highlights a discrepancy between a person's inflated self-assessment and their actual capabilities.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hắn chẳng có tài bộ gì mà cũng lên mặt ta đây. (He has no real talent whatsoever, yet he puts on airs.)
  • Cái tài bộ duy nhất của nó là khoe khoang. (His only real ability is bragging.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used in a critical or mocking tone. It is rarely, if ever, a genuine compliment. The irony is a key component of its meaning.

Variants and Related Words

• Tài hoa (n): Genuine talent, brilliance (often in arts). This is the positive, non-ironic counterpart.
  • Anh ấy là một nghệ sĩ tài hoa. (He is a talented artist.)
• Tài năng (n): Talent, gift, ability. A standard, neutral, or positive term for skill.
  • Cô ấy có tài năng âm nhạc thiên bẩm. (She has a natural talent for music.)

Synonyms

• (So-called) talent: Used to express doubt or sarcasm about the skill in question.
• Pretended ability: A claimed but unreal competence.

Related Idioms

• Lên mặt ta đây: To put on airs, to act superior. This phrase is very commonly associated with the use of "tài bộ."
  • Chút tài bộ ấy mà đã lên mặt. (With such meager talent, he already puts on airs.)