sạm mặt

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The Vietnamese word "sạm mặt" generally means to be shamefaced or to lose face, especially in a situation where someone feels embarrassed or humiliated. It describes a person's facial expression when they are feeling ashamed or have been publicly scolded.

Usage Instructions:

• "Sạm mặt" is often used in contexts where someone has been criticized or reprimanded in front of others, leading to a loss of dignity or self-respect.
• It's a more formal or literary way to express feelings of shame or embarrassment.

Example:

• Bị mắng sạm mặt trước mọi người: This translates to "to be shamefaced because of a scolding in front of others." It captures the feeling of embarrassment when someone is criticized publicly.

Advanced Usage:

• You can use "sạm mặt" in more complex sentences to describe situations where someone's reputation is at stake.
• For example: Sau khi bị phê bình, anh ấy đã sạm mặt và không dám nhìn ai (After being criticized, he became shamefaced and didn’t dare to look at anyone).

Word Variants:

• Sạm: This can also mean "darkened" or "dull," but in the context of "sạm mặt," it specifically refers to the facial expression of shame.
• Mặt: This means "face," and is often used in various expressions relating to facial expressions or appearances.

Different Meanings:

• While "sạm mặt" primarily conveys embarrassment or shame, "sạm" alone can describe something that has lost its brightness or freshness (like a color or appearance), while "mặt" can refer to the physical face itself without the emotional connotation.

Synonyms:

• Xấu hổ: This means "ashamed" and can be used in similar contexts but is more general.
• Thẹn: This also means "ashamed" or "embarrassed," often used in a more informal context.

Academic

1. Be shamefaced, lose face
   • Bị mắng sạm mặt trước mọi người
     To be shamefaced because of a scolding in front of others