怠慢 (dài màn) is a two-character verb meaning 'to neglect' or 'to slight'—especially in social or interpersonal contexts where someone fails to show proper respect, attention, or courtesy. The first character 怠 means 'negligent' or 'lax', often implying laziness or indifference; the second character 慢 means 'disrespectful' or 'contemptuous', carrying a strong connotation of arrogance or dismissiveness. Together, they form a compound that emphasizes willful or careless disregard for another person’s dignity or expectations.

This word is commonly used in formal or literary settings—not in casual daily speech—and frequently appears in descriptions of poor hospitality, bureaucratic indifference, or breaches of etiquette. It often implies moral or social failure rather than simple oversight, and carries mild-to-moderate negative judgment. You’ll encounter it in classical texts, modern essays, news reports about service failures, or formal apologies.