Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Feeling extremely sad and despondent; having a visibly sorrowful, gloomy, or dejected expression: Describes a state of profound sadness that is clearly reflected in one's face and demeanor, often implying a sense of listlessness or deep melancholy.
   • Dismal, downcast, crestfallen: Conveys a strong sense of being disheartened or dispirited.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sau khi nghe tin đó, anh ấy ngồi im lặng với vẻ mặt buồn rượi. (After hearing that news, he sat silently with a dismal face.)
  • Cô bé nhìn theo chiếc xe đi xa với ánh mắt buồn rượi. (The little girl watched the car go far away with a very sad look in her eyes.)
  • Không khí trong phòng lúc đó thật buồn rượi. (The atmosphere in the room at that time was utterly dismal.)

Advanced Usage

• "Buồn rượi" is often used to describe not just an internal feeling but its clear, outward manifestation, particularly in one's facial expression or the general atmosphere. It emphasizes a visible, palpable sadness.
  • Cảnh vật mùa thu khiến lòng người ta thấy buồn rượi. (The autumn scenery makes one's heart feel profoundly sad.)

Variants and Related Words

• Buồn (adj): Sad, sorrowful. This is the root word. "Buồn rượi" is an intensified form.
• Buồn bã (adj): Sad, sorrowful. Similar to "buồn" but can sometimes imply a lingering sadness.
• Rầu rĩ (adj): Gloomy, dejected, downhearted. Shares a similar meaning of visible despondency.
• U sầu (adj): Melancholy, mournful. Tends to imply a deeper, more contemplative sadness.

Synonyms

• Thê lương (adj): Miserable, dreary (often for settings or atmospheres).
• Chán nản (adj): Discouraged, disheartened (focuses more on loss of motivation).
• Sầu não (adj): Grief-stricken, distressed (implies deeper anguish).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Mặt mày buồn rượi: To have a long face; to look very downcast.
  • Đừng có mặt mày buồn rượi như vậy, mọi chuyện rồi sẽ ổn thôi. (Don't have such a long face; everything will be fine.)
• Lòng buồn rượi: A heart filled with deep sadness.
  • Nghe bản nhạc cũ, lòng tôi chợt buồn rượi. (Listening to the old song, my heart suddenly felt deeply sad.)

1. Wearing a dismal face from sadness; very sad