Definition

1. Verb (Intransitive):
   • To stay in seclusion; to hole up; to remain confined (to a place): Describes the action of staying indoors or in a secluded spot for a prolonged period, often with a connotation of being withdrawn, inactive, or avoiding social contact.
   • To be a homebody; to be housebound: Indicates a habitual preference for staying at home, leading a quiet or reclusive life.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nó chỉ ru rú trong phòng suốt mấy ngày nay. (He has just been holed up in his room for the past several days.)
  • Cô ấy thích ru rú ở nhà đọc sách hơn là đi tiệc tùng. (She prefers to stay in seclusion at home reading books rather than going to parties.)
  • Đừng có ru rú một xó, ra ngoài gặp gỡ mọi người đi. (Don't just hole up in a corner; go out and meet people.)

Advanced Usage

• "ru rú xó nhà": to be confined to the house; to be a complete homebody. This is a common, vivid collocation.
  • Sau khi nghỉ hưu, ông ấy chỉ ru rú xó nhà. (After retiring, he just stays confined to the house.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thu mình (v): to withdraw into oneself; to retreat. This shares the sense of social withdrawal but is more about a psychological state.
• Ẩn dật (v): to live in seclusion; to be a hermit. This is a more literary and intentional term for withdrawing from society.

Synonyms

• To hole up: To hide or shut oneself away in a place.
• To be a recluse: To live a solitary life.
• To be a homebody: A person who enjoys staying at home.
• To be confined (to): To be restricted to a particular place.

Related Idioms

• Ru rú như ốc: To be as reclusive as a snail (in its shell). This idiom emphasizes staying hidden and withdrawn.
  • Cậu bé ấy nhút nhát, lúc nào cũng ru rú như ốc. (That boy is shy, always holed up like a snail.)

1. Hang about (at home)
   • Ru rú ở nhà suốt ngày
     To hang about at home the whole day