cồn cào
Definition
- Adjective:
- Gnawing and burning (in the stomach): Describes a physically uncomfortable sensation in the abdomen, often a mix of a gnawing emptiness and a burning feeling, typically associated with extreme hunger, anxiety, or digestive issues.
- Restless and agitated: Describes a state of mental or emotional turmoil that feels as intense and unsettling as the physical sensation.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Bụng tôi cồn cào vì đói. (My stomach is gnawing from hunger.)
- Lo lắng cồn cào, cô ấy không thể ngồi yên. (Restless with anxiety, she couldn't sit still.)
- Cảm giác cồn cào trong dạ dày khiến anh khó chịu. (The burning, gnawing feeling in his stomach made him uncomfortable.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used metaphorically to intensify descriptions of emotional states, implying they are as visceral and urgent as a physical pang.
- Nỗi nhớ nhà cồn cào trong lòng anh lính trẻ. (A gnawing homesickness churned inside the young soldier.)
Variants and Related Words
- Cồn cào ruột gan (idiomatic phrase): An intensified form meaning a very deep, visceral feeling of anxiety, worry, or impatience.
- Chờ kết quả, lòng anh cồn cào ruột gan. (Waiting for the results, he was sick with worry.)
Synonyms
- Gnawing: Persistently worrying or causing discomfort.
- Churning: (Of stomach or emotions) moving violently.
- Burning: Feeling a hot, painful sensation.
- Restless: Unable to rest or relax due to anxiety or boredom.
Related Idioms
- Lòng cồn cào: A common phrase meaning "a churning/gnawing heart," used to describe intense emotional unrest.
- Nghe tin dữ, lòng bà cồn cào. (Hearing the bad news, her heart churned with anxiety.)