đê bối

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Depraved; morally corrupt; base: Describes a person or behavior that is considered extremely low, wicked, or lacking in moral principles. It implies a profound degradation of character.
   • Despicable; contemptible: Refers to actions or individuals deemed worthy of strong scorn or disgust due to their shameful nature.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hành động đó thật đê bối. (That action is truly despicable.)
  • Hắn là một kẻ đê bối, không có chút nhân cách nào. (He is a depraved individual, without a shred of integrity.)
  • Lời nói dối đê bối của anh ta đã phá hủy niềm tin của mọi người. (His base lie destroyed everyone's trust.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is strong and carries a heavy moral judgment. It is often used in formal condemnations, literary contexts, or in passionate speech to express severe disapproval.

Variants and Related Words

• Đê hèn (adj): Mean, vile, lowly. Often used similarly to describe morally low behavior, though sometimes perceived as slightly less intense than "đê bối."

  • Thái độ đê hèn đó không thể chấp nhận được. (That vile attitude is unacceptable.)

• Bỉ ổi (adj): Sordid, dirty, foul. Shares a similar connotation of being morally repulsive.

  • Những âm mưu bỉ ổi. (Sordid schemes.)

Synonyms

• Depraved: Morally corrupt; perverted.
• Despicable: Deserving hatred and contempt.
• Contemptible: Deserving scorn; disgraceful.
• Base: Lacking moral principles; ignoble.

Related Idioms

• While "đê bối" itself is not commonly part of a fixed idiom, it is used in expressive phrases like:
  • Con người đê bối: A depraved person.
  • Thủ đoạn đê bối: Despicable tactics.