Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Terrified; extremely frightened: Describes a state of intense fear or horror that is believed to cause one's "vía" (spirit or vital soul) to flee or be lost.
   • Appalling; horrifying: Can describe something so shocking or dreadful that it causes this extreme fear.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Câu chuyện ma đó khiến tôi khiếp vía. (That ghost story made me terrified.)
  • Cảnh tượng tai nạn thật khiếp vía. (The accident scene was truly horrifying.)
  • Nó khiếp vía khi thấy con rắn. (He was terrified when he saw the snake.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used for dramatic emphasis, conveying a deeper, more visceral fear than the common word "sợ" (to be afraid). It implies a fear that strikes at one's core or spirit.

Variants and Related Words

• Khiếp sợ (v/adj): to fear, to dread; fearful. A more general term for fear, without the cultural connotation of losing one's "vía."
  • Họ khiếp sợ sự trừng phạt. (They dread the punishment.)

Synonyms

• Terrified: filled with overwhelming fear.
• Horrified: struck with horror.
• Appalled: greatly shocked or dismayed.

Related Idioms

• Kinh hồn bạt vía: to be scared out of one's wits; to be frightened to the point of having one's soul and spirit displaced. This is a stronger, more vivid synonym.
  • Tiếng nổ làm mọi người kinh hồn bạt vía. (The explosion scared everyone out of their wits.)