đồ khốn
The English word "bastard" translates to Vietnamese as đồ khốn.
đồ khốn is used as a noun to refer to a contemptible person, such as a scoundrel or a wretch. The related adjective đẻ hoang can be used to describe something or someone that is like or of an illegitimate human descendant.
Meaning: contemptible etc. person (noun)
Which one should you use?
While đồ khốn is a direct insult, the form đồ khốn nạn is also a very common, highly informal way to call someone a bastard or a scoundrel in heated situations.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
đồ khốn is an informal term. Similarly, đồ khốn nạn is a highly informal expression.
Related words
Did you know?
- Adding the word nạn to create đồ khốn nạn intensifies the insult, as nạn often refers to disasters or calamities in other Vietnamese contexts.
- The word đồ in đồ khốn is a Sino-Vietnamese word derived from the character 徒, which originally referred to a follower or a person of low status.
- In Vietnamese, the word khốn can be used sympathetically to describe someone as 'miserable' or 'destitute' without any intent to insult.
Examples in context
- Hắn là một đồ khốn.He is a bastard.
- Tôi ghét tên đồ khốn đó.I hate that bastard.
Example conversation
Chi and Nam are talking about a dishonest former colleague.
- ChiAnh ta đúng là một đồ khốn.He really is a bastard.
- NamNam cũng thấy vậy.Nam thinks so too.
- ChiAnh ta đã lừa dối mọi người.He deceived everyone.
- NamThật là một kẻ tồi tệ.He is a terrible person.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries đồ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
