Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Inward-turning, introverted: Describes a psychological tendency where one's interests and energies are directed inward toward one's own thoughts and feelings, rather than outward toward the external world and social interactions. It is a key concept in personality psychology.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy có tính cách khá hướng ngã, thích dành thời gian một mình để suy nghĩ. (He has a rather introverted personality, preferring to spend time alone thinking.)
  • Trong thuyết phân tâm học, libido hướng ngã là năng lượng quay vào bên trong bản thân. (In psychoanalytic theory, introverted libido is energy turned inward toward the self.)

Advanced Usage

• "Tính hướng ngã": Introversion (as a personality trait).
  • Tính hướng ngã và tính hướng ngoại là hai thái cực trong một phổ tính cách. (Introversion and extraversion are two poles on a personality spectrum.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hướng ngoại (adj): Extraverted, outward-turning. The opposite of "hướng ngã".
  • Cô ấy rất hướng ngoại và năng động. (She is very extraverted and energetic.)
• Sự hướng ngã (n): Introversion. The noun form denoting the state or quality.
  • Sự hướng ngã không có nghĩa là nhút nhát. (Introversion does not mean shyness.)

Synonyms

• Nội tâm (adj): Inward, inner-directed. (Note: This is a more general term for being focused on one's inner world, not a strict psychological synonym).
• Thu mình (v): To withdraw into oneself. (Describes the behavior, not the inherent trait).

Notes on Meaning

• Psychological Term: Primarily used in academic, clinical, or descriptive psychological contexts. In everyday conversation, people might use "ít nói", "trầm tính" (quiet, calm), or "thích ở một mình" (likes to be alone) to describe similar traits without the clinical precision of "hướng ngã".
• Not Negative: The term itself is neutral, describing a personality orientation, not a disorder or flaw.

1. (tâm) Introversive