Definition

Adjective: - Discouraged, disheartened: A state of losing motivation, enthusiasm, or courage to continue doing something due to facing repeated difficulties, failures, or obstacles.

Usage

This word describes an emotional and psychological state, typically resulting from prolonged struggle or repeated setbacks. It is often used to express a feeling of weariness or a decline in one's initial resolve or determination.

Usage Examples

• (After many failures, he began to lose heart.)
• (Don't be discouraged by the immediate difficulties.)
• (She is not someone who is easily disheartened.)

Advanced Usage

• Làm cho ai đó sờn chí: To discourage someone, to make someone lose heart.
  • Những lời chỉ trích liên tục có thể làm cho cậu ấy sờn chí. (Constant criticism could discourage him / make him lose heart.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sờn lòng: A direct synonym with identical meaning and usage (discouraged, disheartened).
• Nản chí: A very close synonym meaning to become disheartened or to feel like giving up.
• Chán nản: A more general term for feeling depressed, dejected, or dispirited, which can encompass the meaning of 'sờn chí'.

Synonyms

• Nản lòng: To be disheartened.
• Thối chí: To lose one's will (slightly stronger connotation).
• Mất tinh thần: To lose morale/spirit.

Related Idioms

• Chưa thấy quan tài chưa đổ lệ: Literally "No tears before seeing the coffin." An idiom encouraging perseverance, meaning one should not give up or become discouraged too soon. It is the conceptual opposite of becoming 'sờn chí'.

1. như sờn lòng