Definition

1. Adjective:

   • To be worried, concerned, or anxious: To have a troubled or uneasy mind because of a problem, an uncertain situation, or a difficult decision.
   • To be hesitant, uncertain, or in two minds: To be unable to decide or choose between options due to doubt or conflicting thoughts.

2. Verb (to feel/be):

   • To be preoccupied with worry: To have one's thoughts constantly occupied by a concern.
   • To be torn: To feel conflicted between different choices or feelings.

Usage Examples

• Adjective/State of mind:
  • Cô ấy trông rất băn khoăn về kết quả. (She looks very worried about the result.)
  • Tôi băn khoăn không biết có nên nhận lời đề nghị đó không. (I am in two minds about whether to accept that offer.)
• Verb:
  • Anh ấy cứ băn khoăn mãi về chuyện ngày hôm qua. (He kept worrying about what happened yesterday.)

Advanced Usage

• "nỗi băn khoăn": a worry, a concern (used as a noun).
  • Cô ấy chia sẻ nỗi băn khoăn của mình với bạn thân. (She shared her concern with her close friend.)
• "vẻ băn khoăn": a worried/concerned look or appearance.
  • Gương mặt anh ấy hiện lên vẻ băn khoăn. (A worried look appeared on his face.)

Variants and Related Words

• Băn khoăn, day dứt (adj): To be deeply troubled, tormented, or haunted by something.
  • Anh ấy băn khoăn, day dứt về quyết định của mình. (He is deeply troubled by his decision.)

Synonyms

• Worried: Anxious about actual or potential problems.
• Hesitant: Tentative, unsure, or slow in acting or deciding.
• Torn: Unable to choose between conflicting alternatives.
• Preoccupied: Dominated by a particular thought or concern.

Related Idioms

• Băn khoăn, trăn trở: To be deeply preoccupied and restless with thought (stronger than just "băn khoăn").
  • Ông ấy băn khoăn, trăn trở tìm giải pháp cho cả tuần. (He was deeply preoccupied searching for a solution for the whole week.)

adj

1. In a divided mind, in two minds
   • băn khoăn chưa biết nên làm như thế nào
     to be in a divided mind as to what to do