Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Impolite, rude, lacking manners: Describes behavior that violates social etiquette or shows a lack of respect, especially towards elders or in formal situations.
   • Presumptuous, overstepping bounds: Describes an action taken without proper permission or authorization, often seen as bold or disrespectful.

2. Verb phrase (used with "xin"):

   • To beg pardon, to ask for indulgence: A polite and humble expression used as a preface before saying or doing something one considers to be bold, direct, or potentially intrusive. It functions as a verbal courtesy to soften the following statement or action.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Đứa trẻ đó thật vô phép khi cãi lại người lớn. (That child is very rude/impolite for talking back to adults.)
  • Hành động vào phòng mà không gõ cửa là rất vô phép. (Entering a room without knocking is very impolite.)

• Verb phrase (with "xin"):

  • Xin vô phép, tôi có ý kiến khác về vấn đề này. (With all due respect / If I may, I have a different opinion on this matter.)
  • Xin vô phép được hỏi, ông có thể cho tôi biết giờ không? (Excuse me / Pardon me, could you tell me the time?)

Advanced Usage

• "vô phép ông/bà/cụ...": A formal, somewhat old-fashioned phrase meaning "with all due respect to you (sir/madam/elder)...". It is used to preface a contradictory or critical opinion respectfully.

  • Vô phép ông, nhưng tôi nghĩ cách làm này chưa ổn. (With all due respect, sir, but I think this method is not quite right.)

• "thằng/bé/con vô phép": A common, direct way to scold a child or subordinate for being rude.

  • Im ngay, thằng vô phép! (Be quiet, you rude boy!)

Variants and Related Words

• Bất lịch sự (adj): Impolite, discourteous. A more common synonym for the adjective sense.
• Hỗn láo (adj): Insolent, impudent. Stronger than "vô phép", implying outright defiance.
• Khiếm nhã (adj): Indecorous, lacking in grace or propriety (often used for behavior).
• Thất lễ (adj/v): To be discourteous, to fail in observing propriety. Similar to "vô phép".

Synonyms

• Thô lỗ (adj): Crude, coarse.
• Vô lễ (adj): Disrespectful, ill-mannered. Very close in meaning to "vô phép".

Related Phrases

• Ăn nói vô phép: To speak impolitely/rudely.
  • Nó ăn nói vô phép với thầy giáo. (He spoke rudely to the teacher.)

Related Idioms

• Mất dạy: Literally "lacking upbringing/education". A very strong and critical idiom meaning someone is ill-bred and has terrible manners, much stronger than "vô phép".
  • Cư xử như vậy là mất dạy. (Behaving like that shows you have no upbringing.)

adj

1. impolite, rude