lét chừng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slightly squinting: Describes eyes that are partially closed or narrowed, often due to bright light, an attempt to see more clearly, or expressing a subtle emotion like suspicion, disdain, or thoughtfulness.
- Glimpsing sideways / stealing a glance: Implies looking quickly and furtively out of the corner of one's eye, often without turning the head fully.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ánh nắng chói chang khiến anh ấy nhìn mọi thứ với đôi mắt lét chừng. (The dazzling sunlight made him look at everything with slightly squinting eyes.)
- Cô ấy lét chừng nhìn sang người đàn ông lạ mặt ngồi đối diện. (She stole a sidelong glance at the strange man sitting opposite.)
Advanced Usage
- The term often carries a connotation of a cautious, secretive, or evaluative look, rather than a direct and open gaze. It can suggest mistrust, curiosity, or an attempt to observe without being noticed.
Variants and Related Words
- Liếc (v): to glance, to look sideways quickly.
- Cô liếc nhìn đồng hồ. (She glanced at the clock.)
- Nheo mắt (v): to squint (often more deliberate or pronounced than "lét chừng").
- Ông ấy nheo mắt lại để đọc chữ nhỏ. (He squinted to read the small print.)
Synonyms
- Squinting: partly closing one's eyes.
- Peeking: looking quickly or secretly.
- Sidelong glance: a sideways look.
Related Idioms
- While "lét chừng" itself is descriptive, it is conceptually related to the idiom "liếc mắt đưa tình", which means to give a flirtatious or amorous glance.
- Anh chàng liếc mắt đưa tình về phía cô gái. (The young man cast a flirtatious glance toward the girl.)