Definition

Adjective: * To feel awkward, embarrassed, or self-conscious: Describes a state of mild to moderate discomfort, shyness, or bashfulness due to a social situation, a mistake, or receiving attention. It implies a feeling of not knowing what to do or say, often accompanied by blushing or avoiding eye contact.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy cảm thấy ngượng ngập khi nhận được lời khen. (She felt awkward/embarrassed when receiving the compliment.)
  • Tôi hơi ngượng ngập vì đến trễ. (I am a bit embarrassed for being late.)
  • Đứa trẻ ngượng ngập núp sau lưng mẹ. (The child, feeling shy, hid behind their mother.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm cho ai đó ngượng ngập": to make someone feel awkward/embarrassed.
  • Câu hỏi bất ngờ của anh ấy làm tôi ngượng ngập. (His unexpected question made me feel awkward.)
• "Cảm giác ngượng ngập": a feeling of awkwardness/embarrassment.
  • Cô ấy cố gắng vượt qua cảm giác ngượng ngập ban đầu. (She tried to overcome the initial feeling of awkwardness.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ngượng (adj): A more common and slightly stronger synonym for , meaning embarrassed, ashamed, or shy.
  • Tôi ngượng quá! (I'm so embarrassed!)
• Ngại ngùng (adj): Similar to but often implies more hesitation or reluctance due to shyness or politeness.
  • Cô ấy ngại ngùng không dám phát biểu. (She was too shy/hesitant to speak up.)
• Bối rối (adj): Flustered, confused, or disconcerted. This can overlap with but emphasizes confusion more than shame.
  • Anh ấy trông có vẻ bối rối trước câu hỏi khó. (He looked flustered by the difficult question.)

Synonyms

• Xấu hổ (adj): Ashamed, feeling shame. This is generally stronger than .
• E thẹn (adj): Bashful, demure (often used in a more poetic or formal context).
• Rụt rè (adj): Timid, reticent. Describes a general personality trait of shyness rather than a temporary state.

Related Idioms

• Ngượng chín cả mặt: (Lit: to be embarrassed until one's face is fully ripe) To be extremely embarrassed, to blush deeply.
  • Nghe lời chọc ghẹo, cô ấy ngượng chín cả mặt. (Hearing the tease, she blushed deeply / was extremely embarrassed.)
• Ngượng đỏ mặt: To blush (from embarrassment).
  • Cậu bé ngượng đỏ mặt khi bị cô giáo khen. (The boy blushed when the teacher praised him.)

1. Feel awkward