chết điếng
Definition
- Adjective/Verb phrase (used as a predicate): To be stunned into a state of insensibility; to be so shocked, terrified, or overwhelmed (by pain, news, a sight, etc.) that one feels numb and unable to react or think.
Usage
- This phrase describes an extreme state of shock or paralysis caused by a sudden, severe emotional or physical blow.
- It functions as a stative verb or adjective, often following verbs like bị, cảm thấy, làm cho.
- Structure: Subject + (bị/cảm thấy) + chết điếng + (vì/bởi) + cause.
Usage Examples
- (Hearing the bad news, she was stunned into numbness.)
- (The pain was so intense it nearly stupefied him.)
- (I felt utterly stupefied by that horrifying scene.)
Advanced Usage
- "chết điếng người": This is a common, emphatic form where người (person/body) intensifies the meaning of being completely stunned "in one's whole being."
- Lời nói của anh ấy làm tôi chết điếng người. (His words left me utterly dumbfounded.)
Variants and Related Words
- Chết lặng (adj/verb phrase): To be struck dumb; to be silenced (more focused on speechless shock or awe).
- Điếng người (adj/verb phrase): To be stunned, dumbfounded (slightly less intense than chết điếng).
- Sốc (n/v, from English "shock"): Shock; to be shocked (a more modern, general term).
Synonyms
- Tê liệt (v): To be paralyzed (can be used figuratively for emotions).
- Choáng váng (adj): To be dizzy, reeling, overwhelmed.
- Sững sờ (adj): To be astonished, astounded.
Related Idioms/Phrases
- Chết đứng: To be rooted to the spot in shock/fear (emphasizing physical immobility).
- Sợ quá, nó chết đứng tại chỗ. (It was so scared, it froze on the spot.)
- Hồn vía lên mây: To be scared out of one's wits (literally: one's spirit/soul goes to the clouds). This describes extreme fright rather than the numb insensibility of chết điếng.
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To be stupefied to insensibility (with pain..)
