Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Sad, melancholy: A state of deep, lingering sadness, often with a poetic or profound quality. It describes a sorrow that is more profound and reflective than simple, temporary sadness.
   • Sorrowful, grief-stricken: Conveys a sense of heartache or grief, often related to loss, longing, or existential reflection.

2. Noun (less common):

   • Sorrow, grief: The feeling or state of being deeply sad; melancholy itself.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Anh ấy có vẻ mặt rất sầu. (He has a very sorrowful expression.)
  • Một bản nhạc sầu. (A melancholy piece of music.)
  • Lòng tôi sầu nặng. (My heart is heavy with sorrow.)

• Noun:

  • Chia sẻ nỗi sầu. (To share the grief.)
  • Mối sầu trăm năm. (A century of sorrow.)

Advanced Usage

• "Sầu muộn": Deeply sorrowful and depressed. This is a compound word where "sầu" intensifies "muộn" (worried, sad).

  • Qua bao biến cố, ông ấy trở nên sầu muộn. (After many upheavals, he became deeply sorrowful and depressed.)

• "Sầu não": Heartbroken and distressed. This is a compound word where "sầu" combines with "não" (brain/mind) to imply mental anguish.

  • Tin buồn khiến cô sầu não. (The sad news left her heartbroken and distressed.)

• "Sầu thảm": Tragically sorrowful, grievous. This is a compound word where "sầu" intensifies "thảm" (tragic, miserable).

  • Một vụ tai nạn sầu thảm. (A tragic accident.)

Variants and Related Words

• Buồn (adj): Sad. This is a more common and general term for sadness, while "sầu" is deeper and more literary.
• U sầu (adj): Gloomy, melancholic. A compound word combining "u" (gloomy) and "sầu".
• Sầu bi (adj): Sorrowful and mournful. A compound word combining "sầu" and "bi" (mournful).
• Sầu tư (adj): Pensive, melancholic in thought. A compound word combining "sầu" and "tư" (thought).

Synonyms

• Buồn bã: Sad, sorrowful.
• Thê lương: Desolate, bleak (often for settings, but can describe mood).
• Não nề: Heavy-hearted, distressed.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Chuốc sầu vào thân" / "Mua não chuốc sầu": To bring sorrow upon oneself; to invite trouble and grief.

  • Đừng chuốc sầu vào thân vì những chuyện nhỏ. (Don't bring sorrow upon yourself over small matters.)

• "Kẻ Bắc người Nam thêm sầu": (From a folk poem) Literally "The Northern person, the Southern person, adds more sorrow." It describes a situation of separation that deepens sadness and longing.

  • Hai người cách xa, đúng là cảnh kẻ Bắc người Nam thêm sầu. (The two are far apart, truly a scene that deepens the sorrow of separation.)

• "Gỡ mối sầu": To untangle/relieve a knot of sorrow; to find solace from grief.

  • Âm nhạc giúp cô ấy gỡ mối sầu. (Music helps her find solace from her grief.)

adj

1. sad, melancholy