Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly embarrassed / a bit awkward: Describes a mild state of self-consciousness, shyness, or social discomfort, often due to a minor awkward situation. It is a reduplicated form that softens the intensity of the base adjective "ngượng" (embarrassed).

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy cười ngượng ngượng khi nhận được lời khen. (She gave a slightly embarrassed smile upon receiving the compliment.)
  • Sau sự cố nhỏ, bầu không khí trở nên ngượng ngượng. (After the minor incident, the atmosphere became a bit awkward.)
  • Anh ấy đứng ngượng ngượng một mình ở góc phòng. (He stood there feeling a little awkward by himself in the corner of the room.)

Advanced Usage

• The reduplication "ngượng ngượng" often conveys a lighter, more temporary, or even somewhat endearing feeling of embarrassment compared to the stronger "ngượng" or "xấu hổ". It is frequently used to describe subtle nonverbal cues like a smile, a glance, or a gesture.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngượng (adj): embarrassed, awkward.

  • Tôi cảm thấy rất ngượng. (I feel very embarrassed.)

• Ngượng ngùng (adj): bashful, sheepish. Similar in meaning to "ngượng ngượng" but can imply a bit more fluster.

  • Cậu bé trả lời với vẻ ngượng ngùng. (The boy answered with a bashful look.)

Synonyms

• Abit self-conscious: aware of oneself in a slightly uneasy way.
• Sheepish: showing embarrassment from shame or shyness.
• Bashful: socially shy or timid.

Related Idioms

• Ngượng chín mặt: (lit. embarrassed until nine faces) To be extremely embarrassed.

  • Bị phát hiện lỗi, anh ta ngượng chín mặt. (When his mistake was discovered, he was mortified.)

• Ngượng đỏ mặt: to blush with embarrassment.

  • Cô ấy ngượng đỏ mặt khi bị bắt gặp đang ngắm mình trong gương. (She blushed with embarrassment when caught looking at herself in the mirror.)