chột ý
Definitions
- Adjective:
- Feeling caught out or exposed: Describes the sudden, self-conscious feeling of being discovered in a mistake, fault, or embarrassing situation. It implies a sense of being flustered or losing composure because one's error or secret has been noticed.
- Feeling a pang of conscience or sudden guilt: Can describe a sharp, momentary feeling of guilt or shame about something one has done or failed to do.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ấy đột nhiên chột ý khi sếp hỏi về báo cáo còn thiếu. (He suddenly felt caught out when the boss asked about the missing report.)
- Nghe mẹ nhắc đến chuyện hôm qua, nó chột ý, mặt đỏ bừng. (Hearing her mother mention yesterday's incident, she felt a pang of guilt, her face turning bright red.)
- Tôi chột ý nhận ra mình đã quên sinh nhật của bạn thân. (I was suddenly struck with guilt realizing I had forgotten my best friend's birthday.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used to describe an internal, reflexive emotional state that is momentarily visible through one's reaction (e.g., blushing, stammering, avoiding eye contact).
- It frequently appears in narratives describing social interactions where a hidden fault or social misstep is subtly or directly revealed.
Variants and Related Words
- Hổ thẹn (adj): Ashamed, feeling deep shame. This is a stronger and more prolonged feeling than the sudden, sharp chột ý.
- Áy náy (adj): Feeling uneasy, troubled, or remorseful about something. This describes a lingering guilt, unlike the immediate shock of chột ý.
Synonyms
- Thẹn (adj): To be shy or bashful; can imply shame.
- Ngượng (adj): To be embarrassed, feel awkward.
Related Idioms
- Chột dạ: This is a very close synonym, often used interchangeably with chột ý. Both describe a sudden pang of conscience or fear.
- Giật mình: To be startled, frightened. While giật mình is more about physical surprise or fear, chột ý is specifically about moral or social surprise related to a fault.