Geeks and Snobs: Từ vựng cho những người có sở thích lớn

Với việc sử dụng ngày càng nhiều trong các cuộc trò chuyện hàng ngày, điều quan trọng là biết các thuật ngữ đặc biệt này cũng như các thuật ngữ khác dành cho những người có sở thích đặc biệt. Có từ nào mô tả bạn không?

What changed?

Trong quá khứ, những người mọt sách và mọt công nghệ là những người không sành điệu hoặc ít giao tiếp. Nhưng họ cũng được dùng để chỉ những người có sự quan tâm mãnh liệt đến một số sở thích nhất định.

Theo truyền thống, những sở thích này không được nhiều người ưa chuộng - ví dụ, một người rất thích thể thao có lẽ sẽ không bị gọi là mọt sách, nhưng một người thích những thứ như máy tính hoặc truyện tranh thì có.

Tuy nhiên, theo thời gian, những thuật ngữ này đã trở nên phổ biến bất kể sở thích của một người là gì. Điều quan trọng không phải là sở thích cụ thể, mà là mức độ đam mê của người đó dành cho nó.

Tất cả các thuật ngữ liệt kê dưới đây đều là tên gọi cho những người có tình yêu sâu sắc với một thứ gì đó hoặc một ai đó. Hãy cùng xem qua nhé!

General terms

Geek/Nerd

As we mentioned earlier, these are two of the most common ways to express that someone has a strong interest in something as well as a deep knowledge of it.

My coworker is a Harry Potter nerd. She knows the details of every book in the series.

My friends and I are all computer geeks. We want to start our own software company one day.

Enthusiast

“Enthusiast” is a more formal word for someone with a deep interest.

This event attracts plant enthusiasts from around the country.

Being a record enthusiast can be very expensive!

Buff

This term is not used alone — it must be added after the subject of interest. It is commonly used for people who enjoy cars and history, but it is not limited to those.

I'm no opera buff, but I really enjoyed that performance.

This garage is a popular place for car buffs to hang out.

Lover

A woman lying in bed, holding a book and petting her dog

This one should be quite simple to understand; people who love things are "lovers"!

My friend is an animal lover. She has had many different pets over the years.

I’m a music lover, but I don’t know how to play any instruments.

Nut

“Nut” is an informal word for someone who is crazy or insane. When used together with a hobby, it means the person has a very intense interest in it.

Steve is a travel nut. He visits someplace new almost every month.

Snob

"Snob" is another term that was originally only negative. Traditionally, snobs are people who think they are better than others in some way.

However, it is also commonly used to mean that someone knows a lot about something and does not accept low-quality versions of it.

I'm a coffee snob; I only drink expensive, organic brands from specialty stores.

Fanboy/Fangirl

These terms are fairly simple; they are for people who are big fans of a particular person, product or brand.

The theater was packed with fanboys and girls excited to see the new movie.

They can also be used with a negative nuance, depending on the situation.

The fangirls will harass you on social media if you say anything bad about their favorite artists.

Stan

A group of excited fans waving and yelling as their favorite celebrity approaches

“Stan” is unique among the other terms so far because it is specifically for someone with an interest in a celebrity.

I'm a Christopher Nolan stan. I have to see every one of his films the day they release.

It can also be used as a verb.

She stans BTS.

This expression originated from a song about an obsessed fan named Stan released by the American rapper Eminem in 2000. Although the song is about a person with an unhealthy interest, the expression is used casually.

Terms for specific interests

The expressions above can be used for a variety of subjects. The ones below, however, are used for very specific hobbies.

Cinephile

The front of a movie theater with its neon signs lit up

Meaning: someone who loves movies

That theater is where cinephiles go to watch movies. They have very strict rules about noise and smartphone usage.

"-phile" means "lover," and it can be used for other interests as well. For example, a Japanophile is a lover of Japan and Japanese culture, while a Francophile is a lover of France and French culture.

Bookworm

Meaning: someone who loves books

Our son has been a bookworm since he first learned to read.

Foodie

Meaning: a person who loves trying different kinds of food

With so many delicious, high-quality restaurants, this city is excellent for foodies.

Shutterbug

A group of photographers holding their cameras pointed toward the sky

Meaning: a person who loves cameras and taking pictures

The night of the full moon, the park was full of shutterbugs trying to get a great picture.

Techie

Meaning: a person with a deep interest in technology

Many techies get excited whenever Apple announces new products.

Gym rat

Meaning: a person who spends a lot of time exercising in gyms

Those gym rats spend most of their free time working out.

Fashionista

Meaning: a person with a deep interest in clothing and fashion

The fancy part of town with the famous boutiques is where you can find all the local fashionistas.

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