Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Haggard; Distraught: Describes a state where one's spirit or vitality appears diminished, often shown through a tired, weary, or deeply preoccupied facial expression.
   • Worried; Preoccupied; Absent-minded: Describes a state of being lost in anxious thought, distracted by concern, or mentally elsewhere, leading to a lack of focus or responsiveness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Vẻ mặt bần thần của anh ấy khiến mọi người lo lắng. (His haggard expression made everyone worried.)
  • Mong mãi không thấy con về, chị ấy bần thần cả buổi chiều. (She was worried the whole afternoon, waiting in vain for her child.)
  • Nó ngồi bần thần, không nói không rằng. (He sat there distraught, not saying a word.)

Advanced Usage

• The word bần thần can be reduplicated as bẩn thẩn bần thần to intensify the meaning, emphasizing a state of being utterly dejected, listless, or mentally scattered.

Synonyms

• Haggard: Having a tired, worn appearance due to worry or fatigue.
• Distraught: Deeply agitated, troubled, or worried.
• Preoccupied: Absorbed in thought; mentally distracted.
• Listless: Lacking energy or enthusiasm.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Mặt mày bần thần: To have a haggard or distraught face.
  • Sau tin đó, anh ta xuất hiện với mặt mày bần thần. (After that news, he appeared with a distraught face.)

adj

1. Haggard, worried
   • vẻ mặt bần thần
     to look haggard
   • mong mãi không thấy con về, chị ấy bần thần cả buổi chiều
     she was worried the whole afternoon, waiting in vain for her child