lấn bấn
Definition
- Adjective:
- In a difficult situation, in a tight spot, hampered, encumbered: Describes a state of being hindered, constrained, or having one's freedom of action limited by a specific problem or circumstance, often leading to inconvenience or difficulty in proceeding smoothly.
- Short of something, lacking (especially money): Specifically indicates a state of scarcity or insufficiency of a necessary resource, most commonly money.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ấy lấn bấn vì con cái. (He is hampered/encumbered because of his children.)
- Tôi lấn bấn vì tiền. (I am short of money.)
- Công việc bị lấn bấn vì thiếu nhân lực. (The work is hampered due to a lack of manpower.)
Advanced Usage
- "lấn bấn vì...": The word is almost always followed by the preposition "vì" (because of) to specify the cause of the constraint or shortage.
- Cô ấy cảm thấy lấn bấn vì trách nhiệm gia đình. (She feels constrained because of family responsibilities.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bấn (adj, informal): A shortened, more colloquial form meaning troubled, anxious, or in a fix. It can imply a state of mental distress or a tricky situation.
- Đầu óc bấn loạn. (A troubled/distracted mind.)
- Lấn cấn (adj): A similar-sounding word with a different meaning, referring to a minor, nagging problem, an unresolved issue, or a feeling of slight discomfort or hesitation.
- Vẫn còn một điểm lấn cấn trong hợp đồng. (There is still a minor sticking point in the contract.)
Synonyms
- Gặp khó khăn: To encounter difficulties.
- Bị vướng víu: To be entangled, obstructed.
- Thiếu thốn: To be lacking, in need.
- Túng thiếu: To be in financial straits, hard up (specifically for money).
Notes on Usage
- Register: "Lấn bấn" is considered a colloquial and somewhat informal word, more common in spoken Vietnamese than in formal writing.
- Scope: It describes a temporary state of inconvenience or shortage caused by an external factor, not a permanent condition. The cause is explicitly stated after "vì".