cay mắt
Definition
- Adjective:
- Having a stinging or irritating sensation in the eyes: Describes the physical discomfort caused by substances like smoke, strong odors, or fumes that make the eyes water or feel a burning sensation.
- Figuratively, causing emotional distress or discomfort: Used to describe a situation, sight, or memory that is emotionally painful or difficult to witness, making one feel as if they want to cry.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Khói bếp làm tôi cay mắt. (The kitchen smoke made my eyes sting.)
- Cảnh tượng chia ly thật cay mắt. (The scene of separation was truly heart-wrenching / hard to watch.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe intense, overwhelming stimuli: Can describe not just physical irritants but also overwhelmingly bright light or emotionally charged atmospheres.
- Ánh đèn sân khấu quá chói, cay mắt vô cùng. (The stage lights were too glaring, making my eyes sting terribly.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cay (adj): Stinging, spicy, pungent (often for taste or sensation).
- Ớt này cay quá. (This chili is too spicy.)
- Chảy nước mắt (verb phrase): To have tears flowing, to cry.
- Hành củ làm chảy nước mắt. (Chopping onions makes your eyes water.)
Synonyms
- Xót mắt (adj): Literally "sore eyes," often used similarly for physical irritation or figurative distress.
- Rát mắt (adj): Burning sensation in the eyes (more emphasis on heat/burn).
Related Phrases
- Cay mũi: Stinging nose (often from strong smells or emotions).
- Mùi thuốc súng cay mũi. (The smell of gunpowder stings the nose.)
- Cay cổ: Stinging throat (from spicy food or strong emotion).
- Nói mãi mà không ai nghe, cay cổ quá. (I talked and talked but no one listened, it's so frustrating [lit. throat-stinging].)
Related Idioms
- Cay đắng (adj): Bitter, painful (emotionally or experientially). This is a separate compound word.
- Bài học cay đắng. (A bitter lesson.)
- Cay nghiệt (adj): Cruel, harsh, merciless. This is a separate compound word.
- Số phận cay nghiệt. (A cruel fate.)