giật nẩy
Definition
- Verb phrase:
- To startle/jolt violently: To experience a sudden, involuntary, and sharp physical reaction due to surprise, fear, or a sudden stimulus. The reaction is often a quick, reflexive jump or twitch of the entire body.
- To flinch/jerk: To make a sudden, convulsive movement as an instinctive response to an unexpected event, such as a loud noise or a sudden touch.
Usage Examples
- Verb phrase:
- Nghe tiếng sét, nó giật nẩy người lên. (Hearing the thunder, he startled/jolted violently.)
- Cô ấy giật nẩy khi ai đó vỗ vào vai. (She flinched when someone tapped her shoulder.)
- Tiếng nổ làm tôi giật nẩy. (The explosion made me jolt.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase emphasizes the physicality and immediacy of the reaction. It is stronger than simply being surprised ("ngạc nhiên") and implies a visible, bodily reflex.
Variants and Related Words
- Giật mình (verb phrase): To be startled. This is a more common and slightly less intense synonym, focusing more on the internal feeling of surprise than the physical jerk.
- Tôi giật mình khi chuông điện thoại reo. (I was startled when the phone rang.)
Synonyms
- To startle: To cause or experience a sudden shock of alarm or surprise.
- To jolt: To cause to move with a sudden jerky motion.
- To flinch: To make a quick, nervous movement as an instinctive reaction to fear or pain.
Related Idioms
- Giật nẩy mình: An intensified form of "giật nẩy," adding "mình" (body/self) for emphasis on the self-involvement in the reaction.
- Chuyện đó làm tôi giật nẩy mình. (That story made me jump out of my skin.)