Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Sullen, sulky, glum: A colloquial term describing a facial expression or mood that is gloomy, displeased, or resentful, often shown by pouting or frowning.
   • Grim, cross: Can describe a look that is stern, angry, or unfriendly.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sao mặt mày lại ngậu xị thế? (Why do you look so sullen?)
  • Nó ngồi một góc, vẻ mặt ngậu xị cả buổi. (He sat in a corner with a glum look on his face all afternoon.)
  • Đừng có ngậu xị với mọi người như vậy. (Don't be so cross with everyone like that.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is primarily used in colloquial, informal speech. It is rarely used in formal writing.
• It often describes a temporary state of moodiness or displeasure, typically visible on a person's face.

Variants and Related Words

• Ngậu (adj): The root form, sharing the same meaning of "sullen" or "glum." "Ngậu xị" is a colloquial variant that adds emphasis.
  • Cậu bé làm sai nên mặt cứ ngậu ra. (The boy did something wrong, so his face just turned sullen.)

Synonyms

• Cáu kỉnh: irritable, grumpy.
• Bực bội: annoyed, irritated.
• Ỉu xìu: downcast, dejected (often with a sense of disappointment).
• Hầm hầm: fuming, seething (with anger).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Mặt ngậu xị / Mặt ngậu: To have a sullen face.
  • Nghe tin đó xong, mặt nó ngậu xị ngay. (Upon hearing that news, his face immediately turned sullen.)

1. (thông tục) như ngậu