thiểm

Một người đàn ông có tâm địa thiểm độc đang lên kế hoạch hãm hại người khác.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Maliciously cunning; insidiously wicked: Describes a person, action, or plan characterized by a deep, hidden, and treacherous malevolence. It implies a dangerous and deceptive cleverness used for harmful purposes.

Usage Notes

• The word "thiểm" is almost exclusively used in the compound "thiểm độc". It is very rare to encounter "thiểm" used alone in modern Vietnamese. Its meaning is intrinsically linked to the idea of treacherous and hidden evil.
• It carries a strong negative connotation, describing a severe moral flaw.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hắn ta là một kẻ rất thiểm. (He is a very maliciously cunning person.)
  • Âm mưu thiểm độc của bọn tội phạm. (The insidiously wicked plot of the criminals.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is primarily used in formal or literary contexts to describe profound villainy or treachery.

Variants and Related Words

• Thiểm độc (adj): Maliciously cunning and cruel; insidious and wicked. This is the standard and most common form.
  • Lời nói thiểm độc. (Insidiously wicked words.)

Synonyms

• Insidious: Proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects.
• Treacherous: Guilty of or involving betrayal or deception.
• Malicious: Characterized by malice; intending or intended to do harm.
• Perfidious: Deceitful and untrustworthy.

Antonyms

• Lương thiện: Kind-hearted, decent.
• Ngay thẳng: Straightforward, honest.
• Chân thành: Sincere.