tráo trưng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Bold-faced, brazen, impudent: Describes a manner, especially a way of looking at someone, that is insolent, disrespectful, and shows a lack of shame or propriety. It often implies staring with wide, defiant eyes.
- Insolent (gaze/look): Specifically used to characterize an openly rude and contemptuous way of looking at someone.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nó nhìn tôi với ánh mắt tráo trưng. (He looked at me with a brazen/impudent stare.)
- Thái độ tráo trưng của đứa trẻ khiến mọi người khó chịu. (The child's insolent attitude made everyone uncomfortable.)
- Anh ta trả lời một cách tráo trưng mà không hề biết xấu hổ. (He answered in a bold-faced manner without any shame.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "tráo trưng" is almost exclusively used to describe a visual expression (a look, gaze, eyes) or a manner (attitude, behavior) that conveys that expression. It carries a strong negative connotation of deliberate rudeness.
Variants and Related Words
- Tráo trở (adj): Treacherous, perfidious, indicating a deceitful change in loyalty or promise. While related in tone, "tráo trở" focuses on betrayal, whereas "tráo trưng" focuses on insolent behavior.
- Kẻ tráo trở đó đã phản bội đồng đội. (That treacherous person betrayed his comrades.)
Synonyms
- Brazen: Shameless and bold.
- Impudent: Not showing due respect for another person; impertinent.
- Insolent: Showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect.
- Saucy: Impudent, especially in a playful or lively way (less severe).
Related Idioms
- Mặt dày mày dạn: To be thick-skinned or shameless. This idiom describes the character trait, while "tráo trưng" often describes the specific manifestation of that trait through one's eyes or attitude.
- Hắn ta mặt dày mày dạn, bị mắng vẫn cười tráo trưng. (He is thick-skinned; even when scolded, he still smiles impudently.)