Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Sulky, sullen, in a huff: Describes a state of being visibly annoyed, displeased, or resentful, often shown through a pouting expression, short answers, or withdrawn behavior. It implies holding onto a grudge or irritation without openly expressing it fully.
   • Peevish, grumpy: Refers to a bad-tempered, irritable mood, often over a minor issue.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sao cậu lại hậm hà hậm hực cả ngày thế? Không ai trêu chọc cậu cả. (Why have you been sulky/sullen all day? No one has teased you.)
  • Đứa trẻ hậm hà hậm hực trong góc phòng vì không được mua đồ chơi. (The child was grumpy/peevish in the corner of the room because he wasn't bought a toy.)
  • Cô ấy chỉ trả lời "ừ" với vẻ mặt hậm hà hậm hực. (She only answered "yes" with a sullen/sulky expression.)

Advanced Usage

• This is a reduplicative compound (từ láy) built from the root "hậm hực". The repetition and variation ("hậm hà hậm hực") intensify the meaning, emphasizing a prolonged, simmering, and visibly obvious state of sulkiness or irritation. It often describes someone nursing their annoyance.

Variants and Related Words

• Hậm hực (adj): The root word, meaning sulky, sullen, resentful. "Hậm hà hậm hực" is a more vivid, descriptive variant.
  • Nó giận dỗi, hậm hực bỏ về. (He got upset, sulked, and went home.)
• Hầm hầm (adj): Fuming, seething (with anger), often with a more intense, angry connotation than "hậm hực".
• Cáu kỉnh (adj): Irritable, easily annoyed, short-tempered.

Synonyms

• Bực bội: Annoyed, irritated.
• Khó chịu: Uncomfortable, displeased.
• Càu nhàu: To grumble, to grouse (often involves muttering).
• Giận dỗi: To sulk (often used for children or petty anger).

Notes on Meaning

• The term strongly implies that the displeasure is visible in one's demeanor and attitude but not necessarily expressed through loud outbursts. It's a quiet, brooding kind of anger or annoyance.
• It is commonly used in spoken Vietnamese and in descriptive narratives.

1. xem hậm hực (láy)