trai hư
[t͡ɕaːj˧˧ hɨ˧˧]word by word
The English phrase "bad boy" is translated into Vietnamese as trai hư.
The term trai hư is used similarly to the English slang to describe a man who is perceived as rebellious, promiscuous or charmingly problematic. While it can describe a naughty child, in a romantic or social context, it specifically refers to the "bad boy" archetype.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of trai (boy/male) and hư (bad/spoiled/naughty).
Which one should you use?
To emphasize a more severe sense of being spoiled or corrupted, you can use trai hư hỏng. Other phrases exist for specific nuances: Thằng con hư refers to a naughty boy, and Chàng trai xấu tính refers to a boy with bad character.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the word hư is used to describe both a 'naughty' child and a 'broken' machine.
- The word hư in trai hư comes from the same Chinese character 虛 which can also mean 'void', 'empty', or 'false'.
- While trai hư is a modern slang term, traditional Vietnamese values historically praised the trai tài gái sắc (talented men and beautiful women) ideal.
Examples in context
- Lại là thằng con hư đây thôi, anh em xử lý như thế nào?Here comes the naughty boy again, how should we deal with him, guys?
- Cô ấy thích kiểu trai hư.She likes the bad boy type.
Example conversation
Minh and Hương are discussing a character in a movie.
- MinhNhân vật đó là một trai hư chính hiệu.That character is a true bad boy.
- HươngĐúng vậy, Minh ạ.That's right, Minh.
- MinhAnh ta rất quyến rũ.He is very charming.
- HươngHương cũng thấy thế.Hương thinks so too.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (trai, hư) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hư, trai, CC BY-SA 4.0.
