local tyrant; nouveau riche
Meanings
2 senses · 5 examplesnoun
local tyrant; evil landlord; rural bully (in pre-modern China)
archaicHistorical term from pre-1949 rural China, often used in the set phrase 土豪劣绅 (local tyrants and evil gentry). Carries strongly negative connotations of exploitation and oppression.
Local tyrants and evil gentry oppressed the common people.
His grandfather was once a local tyrant in the village, owning hundreds of acres of land.
noun
nouveau riche; vulgar rich person; someone who flaunts wealth without taste or culture
internetInternet slang that became popular around 2013. Often used humorously or critically to describe people who spend lavishly on luxury goods but lack sophistication. The term 土豪金 (tǔ háo jīn, 'local tyrant gold') refers to the gold color of luxury items like iPhones.
He is a typical nouveau riche, driving a luxury car but unable to appreciate classical music.
Rich guy, let's be friends! (Internet meme expressing envy of wealthy people)
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This phone model was released in a luxury gold color.