đồ đểu
Definition
- Noun (Slang, Derogatory):
- A scoundrel; a despicable person: A vulgar and strongly derogatory term for someone considered morally corrupt, untrustworthy, or contemptible. It implies the person is lowly, deceitful, and without honor.
- A jerk; a bastard: A general, harsh insult for a man perceived as vile, mean, or dishonest.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Hắn ta đúng là một thằng đồ đểu! (He is truly a despicable scoundrel!)
- Đừng tin tên đồ đểu đó. (Don't trust that lowlife jerk.)
- Bị một kẻ đồ đểu lừa gạt. (To be cheated by a vile crook.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is exclusively masculine and highly offensive. Its use is confined to informal, coarse speech, often expressing intense anger, betrayal, or contempt.
- It functions similarly to a standalone noun of insult and is not typically used in a compound verb structure.
Variants and Related Words
Đồ tồi (n): A less vulgar term meaning "a bad person" or "a lowly person."
- Hắn là một kẻ đồ tồi. (He is a bad person.)
Khốn nạn (adj/n): Wretched, miserable; can be used as a noun to mean "a wretched person."
- Tên khốn nạn! (You wretched bastard!)
Synonyms
- Scoundrel: A dishonest or unscrupulous person.
- Lowlife: A person regarded as low in moral character.
- Bastard (vulgar): A cruel, despicable, or annoying man.
- Cad (dated): A man who behaves dishonorably.
Related Idioms
- Đồ đểu cáng: An intensified form of the insult, adding further emphasis and vulgarity.
- Thằng đồ đểu cáng! (You utter and complete scoundrel!)