Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Greedy and cruel: "Tham tàn" describes a person who is both excessively greedy for wealth or power and acts with cruelty or ruthlessness towards others to satisfy that greed.
   • Rapacious: Having an insatiable greed, often combined with a violent or oppressive nature.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Tên quan lại đó nổi tiếng là tham tàn, chỉ biết vơ vét của dân. (That official is notorious for being greedy and cruel, only knowing how to exploit the people.)
  • Chế độ tham tàn ấy cuối cùng đã bị lật đổ. (That rapacious regime was finally overthrown.)
  • Bản chất tham tàn của hắn khiến mọi người khiếp sợ. (His greedy and cruel nature terrifies everyone.)

Advanced Usage

• "tham tàn bạo ngược": An intensified phrase meaning "rapacious and tyrannical," often used to describe oppressive rulers or regimes.
  • Lịch sử lên án những triều đại tham tàn bạo ngược. (History condemns rapacious and tyrannical dynasties.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tham lam (adj): Greedy, avaricious. (Focuses on greed without the inherent connotation of cruelty).
• Tàn ác (adj): Cruel, brutal. (Focuses on cruelty without the inherent connotation of greed).
• Tàn bạo (adj): Savage, brutal. (Similar to "tàn ác").
• Hà khắc (adj): Harsh, severe. (Often used for strict, unforgiving rules or treatment).

Synonyms

• Tàn nhẫn: Merciless, ruthless.
• Độc ác: Wicked, evil.
• Hiếu sát: Bloodthirsty (implies a lust for killing).

Related Idioms

• "Mặt người dạ thú": (A human face but an animal's heart) - Used to describe someone who appears human but is brutally cruel and inhuman, closely related to the nature of a "tham tàn" person.
  • Hắn ta là kẻ mặt người dạ thú, vô cùng tham tàn. (He is a person with a human face but an animal's heart, extremely greedy and cruel.)

adj

1. greedy and cruel