kẻ nói dối
In Vietnamese, the English word "liar" can be expressed as kẻ nói dối. Wiktionary also lists kẻ nói láo and kẻ nói điêu.
Meaning: one who tells lies (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese |
|---|
| kẻ nói dối |
| kẻ nói láo |
| kẻ nói điêu |
All forms of this word refer to a person who tells lies.
What does it mean word for word?
The default form kẻ nói dối is composed of kẻ (person/individual), nói (to speak) and dối (to deceive/lie).
Which one should you use?
While kẻ nói dối is a neutral way to call someone a liar, kẻ nói láo is a more colloquial and blunt expression. The form kẻ nói điêu is used to describe someone who tells exaggerated or boastful lies, similar to a braggart.
How does it change in a sentence?
In these phrases, kẻ acts as a classifier for people. It is used to describe an individual with a specific negative trait in a way that is often impersonal or derogatory.
Did you know?
- The word điêu in kẻ nói điêu comes from a Chinese character meaning 'eagle'.
- The word láo in the phrase kẻ nói láo can be extended to the adjective bố láo to describe someone who is insolent or behaves disrespectfully toward elders.
- While kẻ nói dối is a neutral term, calling someone kẻ nói láo can be interpreted as a direct social confrontation.
Examples in context
- Ông ta là một kẻ nói dối.He is a deceitful person.
- Bà ấy là một người nói dối.She is a person who tells lies.
- Cậu ấy là kẻ dối trá.He is a liar.
- Đừng nói xạo nữa!Stop telling lies!
- Anh ta đúng là kẻ nói dối.He is truly a liar.
- Đừng tin hắn, hắn là kẻ nói dối.Don't trust him, he is a liar.
- Tôi không muốn làm bạn với kẻ nói dối.I don't want to be friends with a liar.
Example conversation
Tuấn and Hương are arguing about a broken vase.
- TuấnAnh đã làm vỡ nó, đúng không?You broke it, didn't you?
- HươngKhông, em mới là người làm vỡ.No, you were the one who broke it.
- TuấnĐừng có nói dối, đồ kẻ nói dối!Stop lying, you liar!
- HươngEm không nói dối, Tuấn!I'm not lying, Tuấn!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “liar” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dối, kẻ, láo, điêu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
