Definition

1. Adjective:
   • To be ashamed, to feel shame: "mắc cỡ" describes the feeling of embarrassment or shame, often due to a perceived fault, mistake, or social awkwardness.
   • To be shy, to be bashful: "mắc cỡ" can also describe a feeling of shyness or timidity, especially in new social situations or when receiving attention.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy rất mắc cỡ khi bị thầy giáo phát hiện lỗi sai. (She felt very ashamed when the teacher found her mistake.)
  • Đứa trẻ mắc cỡ nên trốn sau lưng mẹ khi gặp người lạ. (The child was shy, so he hid behind his mother when meeting strangers.)
  • Tôi thấy mắc cỡ vì đã quên không mang quà đến bữa tiệc. (I felt ashamed because I forgot to bring a gift to the party.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm cho ai đó mắc cỡ": to make someone feel ashamed or embarrassed.

  • Đừng chỉ trích anh ấy trước đám đông, bạn sẽ làm anh ấy mắc cỡ. (Don't criticize him in front of the crowd, you'll make him feel ashamed.)

• "Cảm thấy mắc cỡ": to feel ashamed/shy.

  • Cô ấy cảm thấy mắc cỡ khi được khen ngợi. (She felt shy when she was praised.)

Variants and Related Words

• Xấu hổ (adj): A more standard synonym for "ashamed" or "embarrassed."

  • Anh ta xấu hổ vì hành động của mình. (He was ashamed of his actions.)

• Ngại ngùng (adj): Emphasizes shyness, hesitation, or reluctance.

  • Cô dâu trông thật ngại ngùng. (The bride looks very shy.)

• E thẹn (adj, literary): To be shy, demure; often used in a poetic or gentle context.

  • Nụ cười e thẹn. (A demure smile.)

Synonyms

• Hổ thẹn: to be ashamed (carries a stronger sense of disgrace).
• Ngượng ngùng: to be embarrassed, to feel awkward.

Related Idioms

• Mặt dày mày dạn: (Literally: thick-skinned) The opposite of being "mắc cỡ"; to be brazen, shameless, or impervious to shame.

  • Hắn ta mặt dày mày dạn, chẳng bao giờ biết mắc cỡ là gì. (He is brazen and never knows what shame is.)

• Chui xuống đất: (Literally: to crawl into the ground) Used to express an intense feeling of shame or embarrassment.

  • Tôi mắc cỡ đến mức muốn chui xuống đất. (I was so ashamed I wanted to crawl into a hole.)

adj

1. to be ashamed