thất đức
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Unrighteous; immoral; lacking virtue: Describes actions or behavior that violate moral principles, are unethical, or are considered wicked. It implies a loss or absence of moral character ("đức").
- Bringing bad karma/cursing one's descendants: Based on traditional beliefs, it refers to actions so immoral that they exhaust the ancestral virtue or good fortune, potentially bringing misfortune to future generations.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Hắn ta đã làm nhiều việc thất đức. (He has done many unrighteous deeds.)
- Lừa gạt người già như vậy thật là thất đức. (Cheating the elderly like that is truly immoral.)
- Ăn ở thất đức thì đời con cháu về sau sẽ khổ. (Living in an unrighteous way will bring suffering to one's descendants.)
Advanced Usage
- "thất đức" as a nominalized adjective: Often used to directly condemn an action or person.
- Đó là hành động thất đức! (That is an unrighteous act!)
- Used in the structure "làm việc thất đức" (to do unrighteous things) or "kẻ thất đức" (an unrighteous person).
Variants and Related Words
- Thất nhân tâm (adj): Losing people's hearts; acting in ways that cause others to lose trust and respect. This is closely related but focuses more on social consequence than inherent morality.
- Vô đạo đức (adj): Unethical; immoral. A more direct synonym for the moral aspect, but without the traditional connotation of affecting descendants.
- Tàn ác (adj): Cruel; brutal. Describes cruel actions, which are often considered "thất đức".
- Độc ác (adj): Malicious; evil. Similar to "tàn ác".
Synonyms
- Bất nhân: Inhumane; unkind.
- Vô lương tâm: Without conscience.
- Tàn bạo: Brutal; savage.
- Xấu xa: Wicked; vile.
Related Idioms
- "Ăn ở thất đức": A common fixed phrase meaning "to live/behave in an unrighteous or immoral manner". It encompasses one's overall conduct.
- Cả đời ăn ở thất đức, giờ già mới chịu hối hận. (Having lived unrighteously his whole life, he only feels regret now in his old age.)
- "Thất đức như cha mẹ": (Vulgar idiom) Used as a strong curse, implying someone's actions are so immoral they would shame their own parents.