Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Fearful, timid, apprehensive: Describes a state of being easily frightened or showing visible signs of fear, such as through facial expressions, gestures, or hesitant speech. It implies a lack of courage and a tendency to be easily scared.
   • Cautious, wary: Can describe an overly careful or hesitant attitude stemming from fear.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa trẻ đó rất sợ sệt khi gặp người lạ. (That child is very fearful when meeting strangers.)
  • Anh ấy nhìn tôi với ánh mắt sợ sệt. (He looked at me with a fearful/timid gaze.)
  • Cô ấy có tính cách sợ sệt, không dám thử những điều mới. (She has a timid personality and doesn't dare to try new things.)

Advanced Usage

• "tỏ vẻ sợ sệt": to show a fearful/timid appearance.
  • Khi bị hỏi, cậu bé chỉ biết gãi đầu tỏ vẻ sợ sệt. (When questioned, the boy could only scratch his head, showing a timid appearance.)
• "nói năng sợ sệt": to speak in a fearful/timid manner.
  • Cô ấy trả lời một cách sợ sệt trước mặt sếp. (She answered in a fearful manner in front of the boss.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sợ (verb): to fear, to be afraid of.
  • Tôi sợ ma. (I am afraid of ghosts.)
• Sợ hãi (adjective/verb): to be terrified, frightened (often indicates a stronger, more intense fear than "sợ sệt").
  • Khuôn mặt sợ hãi. (A terrified face.)
• Nhút nhát (adjective): shy, bashful (focuses more on shyness than fear).
  • Một cô gái nhút nhát. (A shy girl.)
• Rụt rè (adjective): timid, hesitant, shy (similar to "sợ sệt" but can also imply shyness in social situations).
  • Cử chỉ rụt rè. (Timid gestures.)

Synonyms

• E sợ: to be apprehensive, to dread.
• Khiếp sợ: to be horrified, to be terrified (stronger).
• Hoảng sợ: to be panic-stricken.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Sợ sệt như chuột thấy mèo: As fearful as a mouse seeing a cat (to be extremely scared).
  • Cậu ta cứ sợ sệt như chuột thấy mèo mỗi khi ông chủ xuất hiện. (He is as fearful as a mouse seeing a cat whenever the boss appears.)
• Mặt mày sợ sệt: A fearful/timid face (showing fear on one's face).
  • Thấy cảnh sát, tên trộm có mặt mày sợ sệt. (Seeing the police, the thief had a fearful face.)

1. Be afraid, fear