Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Worried; anxious; tormented: Describes a state of deep, persistent worry, unease, or mental torment, often accompanied by sadness or longing. It implies a nagging, restless feeling that is difficult to shake off.
   • Monotonously repetitive and melancholic: Describes a sound (like a bird's call or a melody) that is repeated incessantly in a sad, plaintive, or haunting tone.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (describing a state of mind):
  • Cô ấy cảm thấy khắc khoải chờ tin tức từ gia đình. (She felt anxious waiting for news from her family.)
  • Nỗi nhớ nhà khiến lòng anh khắc khoải. (Homesickness left his heart tormented.)
• Adjective (describing a sound):
  • Tiếng chuông chùa vang lên khắc khoải trong đêm khuya. (The temple bell rang out plaintively/mournfully in the late night.)
  • Tiếng cuốc kêu khắc khoải bên sông. (The water rail's call sounded melancholy and repetitive by the river.)

Advanced Usage

• "Lòng khắc khoải": A tormented/anxious heart. Refers to a deep-seated, lingering feeling of worry or sorrow.
  • Mang theo nỗi lòng khắc khoải, anh lên đường. (Carrying a tormented heart, he set off on his journey.)
• "Âm thanh khắc khoải": A plaintive/mournful sound. Describes a sound that evokes sadness through its repetitive, haunting quality.
  • Bài hát với giai điệu khắc khoải. (A song with a plaintive melody.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khắc khoải is primarily used as an adjective. There is no direct verb form. Related words describe similar states:
  • Băn khoăn (adj, v): To be worried, concerned, pondering (often less intense than khắc khoải).
  • Thao thức (v): To lie awake, to be restless (often due to worry or excitement).
  • Day dứt (adj, v): To be remorseful, tormented by guilt or regret.

Synonyms

• Lo âu: Anxious, worried.
• Bồn chồn: Restless, fidgety (focuses on physical restlessness).
• Buồn bã: Sad, sorrowful.
• Thê lương (for sound/atmosphere): Melancholy, dreary, mournful.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Khắc khoải canh trường": To be tormented/restless throughout the long night watch. Describes prolonged anxiety or sleeplessness.
  • Chờ đợi tin con, bà khắc khoải canh trường. (Waiting for news of her child, she was restless through the long night.)
• "Tiếng khắc khoải": This is not a fixed idiom but a common collocation to describe a melancholic, repetitive sound, as in the examples above.

adj

1. worried; anxious