tính cách tham lam
/tɪŋ˧˥ kawk˧˥ tʰaːm˧ laːm˧/Excessive desire for wealth, possessions, or power, often at the expense of others.
Công ty này bị chỉ trích vì tính cách tham lam của ban lãnh đạo.
This company has been criticized for the greed of its leadership.
Tính cách tham lam khiến anh ta không bao giờ hài lòng với những gì mình có.
His greed means he is never satisfied with what he has.
Commonly used in both personal and corporate contexts to describe unethical or excessive desire.
Collocations
Related Phrases
💡Pro Tip
Avoiding Misuse
In Vietnamese, 'tham lam' is stronger than 'greedy' in English. Use 'tham lam' for severe cases and 'hám lợi' for mild greed. 'Tính cách tham lam' is often used in negative contexts, e.g., criticizing corporate or political figures.
⚡Gold Rule
Context Matters
Always pair 'tính cách tham lam' with a subject (e.g., a person, company) to avoid ambiguity. Alone, 'tham lam' can describe an action (e.g., 'lòng tham lam' = greedy heart).
📖Word Origin
Composed of 'tính cách' (character, nature) and 'tham lam' (greedy), reflecting a compound meaning of 'greedy nature'. 'Tham lam' derives from 'tham' (to covet) + 'lam' (to take), historically used in classical Vietnamese texts.
📝Usage Notes
While 'tham lam' can stand alone as an adjective, 'tính cách tham lam' emphasizes the trait as a defining characteristic of a person's behavior. Common in moral or ethical discussions.