bất kính
The English word 'disrespectful' is translated into Vietnamese as bất kính.
Bất kính is used to describe an attitude or an action that violates social hierarchy or shows a lack of reverence toward someone of higher status.
Meaning: lacking respect (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The word is composed of bất meaning 'not' and kính meaning 'respect' or 'reverence'.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Bất kính is a formal term often used in literature, historical contexts or when discussing serious breaches of etiquette toward elders or authority figures. For other ways to express this, you might use the formal phrase Không tôn trọng to say 'disrespectful', Không tôn trọng người khác for 'not respecting others' or Thái độ không lễ độ for 'impolite attitude'. In more informal settings, you can use Không biết tôn trọng to mean 'not knowing how to respect'.
Did you know?
- The word kính in bất kính is a homophone for the Vietnamese word for 'mirror' or 'glass'.
- In Vietnamese culture, being bất kính can be as serious as a legal offense in historical dynastic contexts, where disrespect toward the Emperor was considered treason.
- Because bất kính is so formal, using it in a casual conversation with a friend might sound like you are acting out a scene from a historical drama.
Examples in context
- Hành động đó thật bất kính.That action is truly disrespectful.
- Anh ấy có thái độ bất kính với người lớn.He has a disrespectful attitude toward elders.
- Đừng có lời lẽ bất kính như vậy.Do not use such disrespectful words.
Example conversation
Lan and Tuấn are discussing a student's behavior in class.
- LanTuấn, em thấy học sinh đó có bất kính không?Tuấn, do you think that student is disrespectful?
- TuấnCó, em thấy cậu ấy nói chuyện rất thiếu lễ phép.Yes, I think he speaks very impolitely.
- LanChị không chấp nhận thái độ bất kính như vậy.I cannot accept such a disrespectful attitude.
- TuấnEm đồng ý với chị, Lan ạ.I agree with you, Lan.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bất kính, kính, CC BY-SA 4.0.
