Definition

Adverb: Suddenly, unexpectedly, without prior thought or intention. Describes an action or thought that occurs spontaneously and without conscious planning.

Usage

Used to modify verbs, indicating that the action happens in an instant, triggered by a momentary impulse or external circumstance, rather than being premeditated.

Examples

• Bất giác kêu lên một tiếng. (To utter a scream suddenly.)
• Bất giác nhớ đến một câu chuyện cũ. (Suddenly, an old story came to his mind.)
• Nghe tiếng mưa rơi, tôi bất giác thấy buồn. (Hearing the sound of rain, I suddenly felt sad.)
• Cô ấy bất giác quay đầu lại khi nghe tiếng gọi tên mình. (She turned her head suddenly upon hearing her name being called.)

Advanced Usage

• "Bất giác" often conveys a subtle nuance of involuntary reaction or a fleeting, spontaneous mental state. It is more literary and conveys a slightly more refined or introspective sense of suddenness compared to the more common "bỗng nhiên" or "đột nhiên".
  • Anh ta bất giác mỉm cười khi nhìn thấy bức ảnh. (He smiled involuntarily upon seeing the photo.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bất chợt (adv): Suddenly, all of a sudden. Very close in meaning and often interchangeable with "bất giác," though "bất chợt" can sometimes emphasize the element of surprise more strongly.
• Bỗng nhiên (adv): Suddenly, abruptly. A common and versatile synonym.
• Đột nhiên (adv): Suddenly, all of a sudden. Similar to "bỗng nhiên," often used for more abrupt events.
• Tự nhiên (adv): Naturally, spontaneously. Can sometimes overlap in contexts of spontaneity but lacks the core meaning of "unexpectedly."

Synonyms

• Suddenly
• Unexpectedly
• Involuntarily
• Spontaneously
• All of a sudden

Related Idioms or Phrases

• "Giật mình": To be startled. While not a synonym, it describes a common physical reaction to a "bất giác" event.
  • Tiếng sét làm tôi bất giác giật mình. (The thunderclap made me startle suddenly.)

adv

1. Suddenly, unexpectedly
   • bất giác kêu lên một tiếng
     to utter a scream suddenly
   • bất giác nhớ đến một câu chuyện cũ
     suddenly, an old story came to his mind