Definition

1. Adjective & Verb (used with "feel" or "to be"):
   • Uneasy, troubled, disturbed: A state of mild worry, guilt, or anxiety about something one has done, failed to do, or a situation one is responsible for. It implies a nagging, unsettled feeling in one's conscience.
   • To have qualms, to feel remorseful: To experience a pang of regret or slight remorse, often for a minor fault or a missed obligation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective/Verb:
  • Tôi cảm thấy rất áy náy vì đã quên sinh nhật bạn. (I feel very uneasy for forgetting your birthday.)
  • Cô ấy áy náy mãi về lời nói vô tình của mình. (She kept feeling troubled about her careless remark.)
  • Đừng áy náy chuyện đó nữa, mọi việc đã ổn cả rồi. (Don't feel bad about that anymore; everything is fine.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lòng áy náy": A troubled conscience, a feeling of guilt.
  • Anh ấy ra đi với lòng áy náy vì đã không nói lời tạm biệt. (He left with a troubled conscience for not saying goodbye.)

Variants and Related Words

• Day dứt (v/adj): To be tormented, deeply troubled (stronger than áy náy).

  • Cô ấy day dứt vì quyết định sai lầm. (She is tormented by the wrong decision.)

• Bứt rứt (adj): To feel restless, fidgety, physically or mentally uncomfortable (often due to worry or guilt).

  • Anh ấy bứt rứt không yên khi chờ kết quả. (He felt restless while waiting for the results.)

Synonyms

• Uneasy: Lacking a sense of security or peace of mind.
• Troubled: Characterized by distress or agitation.
• Guilty: Suffering from a feeling of responsibility for wrongdoing (often stronger).
• Remorseful: Filled with regret for one's wrongs.

Related Idioms

• Áy náy lương tâm: To have a pang of conscience.
  • Hành động đó khiến tôi áy náy lương tâm. (That action gave me a pang of conscience.)

verb & adj

1. (To feel) uneasy
   • áy náy vì không giúp được bố mẹ mình
     to feel uneasy for having not been able to help one's parents