tài ba
Definition
Adjective:
- Talented; Brilliant; Gifted: Possessing a high degree of natural ability, skill, or intelligence, especially in the arts, leadership, or a specific field. It implies exceptional competence and often a flair for excellence.
- Able; Capable: Describing someone who is highly skilled and effective in their actions or profession.
Noun (less common):
- Talent; Brilliance; Mastery: Refers to the exceptional skill or ability itself that a person possesses.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ông ấy là một nhà lãnh đạo tài ba. (He is a brilliant leader.)
- Người nghệ sĩ tài ba đó đã có màn trình diễn đáng nhớ. (That talented artist gave a memorable performance.)
- Noun:
- Anh ấy đã trổ hết tài ba để giải quyết vấn đề. (He used all his brilliance to solve the problem.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in formal or literary contexts to express admiration for someone's superior capabilities. It carries a stronger, more commendatory connotation than the more general word "tài" (talent).
- Can be used in a slightly ironic or sarcastic way in informal speech to describe someone who is cunning or scheming, e.g., (He's very "gifted," always coming up with tricks.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tài (n): Talent, ability. A more general and common term.
- Tài hoa (adj): Talented, especially in artistic or elegant pursuits. Often overlaps with "tài ba" but can emphasize grace and refinement.
- Tài giỏi (adj): Competent, excellent, proficient. A very common synonym.
- Tài năng (n): Talent, genius (as a noun).
Synonyms
- Talented: Having a natural aptitude or skill.
- Brilliant: Exceptionally clever or talented.
- Gifted: Having exceptional natural ability.
- Skillful: Having or showing skill.
- Masterful: Performed or performing very skillfully.
Related Idioms
- Trổ hết tài ba: To show off all one's talent; to pull out all the stops.
- Trong buổi phỏng vấn, cô ấy đã trổ hết tài ba. (During the interview, she showed off all her brilliance.)