tiểu nhân
[tiəw˧˩ ɲən˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) an inferior person (socially or morally)
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Người quân tử thì nghĩ xa. Tiểu nhân như tôi thì nghĩ gần, còn biết được gì.
The [social] superiors think in the long term; [social] inferiors like me think in the short term, what can I know?
Quoted attestation: Zuo Zhuan, Ai 11; 2002 Vietnamese translation by Hoàng Khôi
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(pronoun) I/me, a low-born person
Common questions
What does “tiểu nhân” mean?
(noun) an inferior person (socially or morally)
Is “tiểu nhân” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.