xảo trá

Một con cáo xảo trá lén lút nhìn vào chuồng gà.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Deceitful; Cunning: Characterized by the use of clever but dishonest methods to achieve one's goals. It implies a sly and treacherous nature.
   • Guileful; Artful: Skilled at using trickery and deception, often presenting a false appearance to mislead others.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Con người đó rất xảo trá. (That person is very deceitful.)
  • Đừng tin vào những lời hứa xảo trá của hắn. (Don't trust his cunning promises.)
  • Nó có vẻ ngoài thân thiện nhưng thực chất rất xảo trá. (He has a friendly appearance but is essentially very guileful.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "xảo trá" often carries a strong negative moral judgment and is used to describe a deep-seated, habitual trait of character rather than a single act.

Variants and Related Words

• Xảo quyệt (adj): Crafty, sly. A close synonym, often used interchangeably.
  • Mưu đồ xảo quyệt. (A crafty scheme.)

Synonyms

• Deceitful: Misleading others by falsehood.
• Cunning: Skilled in achieving goals through deceit.
• Guileful: Treacherously cunning.
• Duplicitous: Deceitful in speech or conduct.

Antonyms

• Thật thà: Honest, truthful.
• Chân thành: Sincere.
• Ngay thẳng: Upright, straightforward.

Related Idioms

• Khẩu Phật tâm xà: "A Buddha's mouth, a snake's heart." This idiom describes someone whose words are kind but whose intentions are venomous and deceitful, closely related to the concept of "xảo trá".
  • Cảnh giác với những kẻ khẩu Phật tâm xà. (Beware of those with honeyed words and evil hearts.)