Definition

1. Verb phrase:
   • To be angry/displeased with oneself: Expressing a state of being upset, frustrated, or discontented with one's own situation, actions, or fate.
   • To feel self-reproach and pity for one's lot: A complex emotional state combining anger directed inward and sorrow over one's perceived unfortunate circumstances or destiny.

Usage Examples

• Verb phrase:
  • Thất bại lần này khiến cô ấy giận thân. (This failure made her angry and disappointed with herself.)
  • Nhìn bạn bè thành đạt, anh ta chỉ biết giận thân tủi phận. (Seeing his friends succeed, he could only feel bitter and discontented with his own lot.)
  • Đừng giận thân mãi, hãy đứng dậy và làm lại từ đầu. (Don't keep being angry with yourself forever; stand up and start over.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often carries a poetic or deeply introspective nuance, describing a profound, lingering discontent rather than a fleeting moment of anger.
• It is frequently used in literary contexts or in reflective speech to convey a sense of helpless frustration with one's own life path or inherent qualities.
• "giận thân tủi phận": This is a common four-word idiom that intensifies the meaning, emphasizing both anger at oneself and pity for one's fate. It translates to "to be discontented with oneself and resentful of one's lot."

Variants and Related Words

• Giận (v): To be angry (general).
• Tự giận (mình) (v): To be angry at oneself (more literal, less poetic than "giận thân").
• Tủi thân (adj): To feel hurt, humiliated, or sorry for oneself (focuses more on sorrow than anger).

Synonyms

• To be discontented with oneself: (General meaning)
• To be self-reproachful: (Focus on blame)
• To be frustrated with one's lot: (Focus on life circumstances)

Related Idioms

• Giận thân tủi phận: As mentioned above, this is the most common and complete idiomatic expression.
  • Sống trong cảnh nghèo khó, bà lão thường giận thân tủi phận. (Living in poverty, the old woman often felt bitter and resentful of her fate.)

1. Giận thân tủi phận
2. Discontented with one's lot