Definition

1. Adjective:
   • To be in a state of agitation, alarm, or commotion: Describes a situation, place, or group of people that is disturbed, unsettled, or in a stir, often due to surprise, fear, or unexpected news.
   • To feel queasy, unsettled, or nauseated: Describes an internal physical feeling of discomfort, upset, or mild sickness, often from motion sickness or illness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (agitated state):
  • Tin đồn khiến cả văn phòng nhộn nhạo. (The rumor caused the whole office to be in a stir.)
  • Đám đông trở nên nhộn nhạo khi nghe thấy tiếng nổ. (The crowd became alarmed when they heard the explosion.)
• Adjective (physical feeling):
  • Con tàu lắc lư làm tôi cảm thấy nhộn nhạo trong bụng. (The ship's rocking made me feel queasy in my stomach.)
  • Cơn sốt khiến người bệnh nhộn nhạo, khó chịu. (The fever made the patient feel unsettled and uncomfortable.)

Advanced Usage

• The word nhộn nhạo often implies a negative or undesirable state of disturbance, unlike the more neutral or positive nhộn nhịp (bustling, lively). It focuses on the loss of calm and peace.

Synonyms

• Agitated: showing or feeling nervousness or disturbance.
• In a commotion / in a stir: in a state of confused and noisy disturbance.
• Queasy: experiencing nausea; feeling unsettled.
• Unsettled: lacking stability; disturbed.

Related Idioms

• Lòng dạ nhộn nhạo: A feeling of inner turmoil or butterflies in one's stomach, often due to anxiety or nervousness.
  • Trước giờ phỏng vấn, cô ấy lòng dạ nhộn nhạo. (Before the interview, she had butterflies in her stomach.)

1. Be in a stir, be alarmed
   • Đám đông nhộn nhạo
     The crowd was in a stir
2. Feel upset
   • Bị say sóng nhộn nhạo cả người
     To feel upset by sea-sickness