Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Melancholy, wistfully sad: Describes a deep, poignant feeling of sadness, often mixed with nostalgia, regret, or tender emotion, strong enough to bring one to the verge of tears.
   • Moved, emotionally touched: Refers to being deeply affected or stirred by a sentimental memory, a parting, or a scene of compassion.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Trước giờ tạm biệt, trong lòng thấy bùi ngùi vô hạn. (Before the moment of parting, one's heart feels immensely melancholy.)
  • Cô ấy bùi ngùi nhớ lại những kỷ niệm ngày xưa. (She wistfully remembered the old memories.)
  • Câu chuyện cảm động khiến ai nấy đều bùi ngùi. (The touching story left everyone deeply moved.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "bùi ngùi" is primarily used in literary, poetic, or reflective contexts to convey a complex, lingering emotional state. It is not typically used for sudden or sharp grief.

Variants and Related Words

• Xúc động (adj): moved, emotionally stirred. This is a more general term for being emotionally affected, whereas implies a specific melancholic tenderness.
• Nao lòng (adj): heart-stirred, disquieted. Similar to but can sometimes imply more anxiety or agitation.
• Thương cảm (v/n): to pity, compassion. Focuses on the feeling of pity, which can be a component of .

Synonyms

• Melancholy: A feeling of pensive sadness.
• Wistful: Having or showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing.
• Nostalgic: A sentimental longing for the past.
• Moved: Emotionally affected.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Lòng dạ bùi ngùi: A melancholic heart; a heart filled with wistful sadness.
  • Nghe tin ấy, lòng dạ tôi bùi ngùi. (Hearing that news, my heart was filled with melancholy.)
• Bùi ngùi chia tay: To part ways with a melancholic heart.
  • Mùa tốt nghiệp, chúng tôi bùi ngùi chia tay nhau. (At graduation season, we parted ways with heavy hearts.)

adj

1. Melancholy, sad to the verge of tears
   • trước giờ tạm biệt, trong lòng thấy bùi ngùi vô hạn
     before parting, one's heart is immensely melancholy