nghèn nghẹn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Choked up / tight-throated: Describes the physical sensation of constriction or obstruction in the throat, often due to strong emotion, impending tears, or slight physical blockage, making speech difficult.
- Clogged / congested: Can describe a feeling of congestion or blockage, typically in the nasal or respiratory passages.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô ấy nói, giọng nghèn nghẹn vì xúc động. (She spoke, her voice choked up with emotion.)
- Tôi cảm thấy cổ họng nghèn nghẹn khi nghe tin buồn. (I felt a tightness in my throat upon hearing the sad news.)
- Anh ấy bị cảm, mũi nghèn nghẹn khó chịu. (He has a cold, his nose is unpleasantly clogged.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used reduplicatively as "nghèn nghẹn" to emphasize the persistent or recurring nature of the sensation, more so than the single form "nghẹn."
- Commonly modifies words for voice ("giọng nghèn nghẹn"), throat ("cổ họng nghèn nghẹn"), or nose ("mũi nghèn nghẹn").
Variants and Related Words
Nghẹn (adj, v): To choke, to be choked. The root word, often implying a more acute or complete blockage.
- Nghẹn lời (v): To be speechless (due to emotion).
- Nghẹn thở (v): To have difficulty breathing; to be suffocated.
Nghẹn ngào (adj): Overwhelmed with emotion (often leading to a choked-up feeling). Focuses more on the emotional state than the physical symptom.
- Giọng nói nghẹn ngào (A voice thick with emotion).
Synonyms
- Choked up: Affected by strong emotion, making speech difficult.
- Constricted: Made narrower or tighter, especially referring to the throat.
- Clogged: Blocked or congested.
Related Idioms and Phrases
Nghẹn lời: To be at a loss for words; to be unable to speak (due to shock or strong feeling).
- Nghe tin ấy, cô ấy nghẹn lời không nói được. (Upon hearing that news, she was speechless.)
Nghẹn ngào cảm xúc: To be overwhelmed/swamped with emotion.
- Buổi lễ tốt nghiệp khiến các bậc phụ huynh nghẹn ngào cảm xúc. (The graduation ceremony left the parents overwhelmed with emotion.)
