Definition

1. Adjective / Verb (used with "bị", "làm", etc.):
   • To be vexed, offended, or displeased: To feel slighted, annoyed, or upset, often due to a perceived disrespect, criticism, or inconsiderate action or remark. It describes a state of taking something personally and feeling hurt feelings.
   • To vex, to offend (someone): To cause someone to feel this way; to say or do something that displeases or hurts another's feelings.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (to be vexed):
  • Anh ấy phật ý vì câu nói đùa của tôi. (He was vexed by my joke.)
  • Đừng có phật ý, tôi chỉ nói thật thôi. (Don't take offense, I'm just being honest.)
• Verb (to vex someone):
  • Lời phê bình thẳng thắn của cô ấy đã làm phật ý vài đồng nghiệp. (Her frank criticism vexed a few colleagues.)
  • Tôi sợ phật ý người khác nên không dám nói. (I'm afraid of offending others so I don't dare speak.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase often implies the offense is taken over a relatively minor or unintentional matter. The person who is "phật ý" is sometimes perceived as being overly sensitive or easily offended.
• Commonly used in the structure "làm/bị phật ý" (to cause/to be vexed) or simply as a stative verb "phật ý" (to be vexed).

Variants and Related Words

• Giận (v): to be angry. (A stronger, more general term for anger.)
• Bực mình (v/adj): to be annoyed, irritated. (Often about a situation, not necessarily a personal slight.)
• Tức giận (v): to be furious, indignant. (Stronger anger.)
• Tủi thân (adj): to feel hurt and sorry for oneself. (Focuses on self-pity from being wronged.)

Synonyms

• Offended: Hurt or upset by something perceived as insulting.
• Vexed: Annoyed, frustrated, or worried.
• Displeased: Not satisfied or happy with something.
• Piqued: Stimulated to irritation, especially by a wound to pride.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Phật ý vì chuyện nhỏ: To get offended over a trivial matter.
  • Cô ấy dễ phật ý vì chuyện nhỏ. (She easily gets offended over trivial matters.)
• Làm phật lòng: A very similar phrase meaning "to hurt/displease someone's feelings."
  • Tôi không muốn làm phật lòng ai cả. (I don't want to hurt anyone's feelings.)

1. Vex, be vexed