sờ sợ
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slightly afraid, apprehensive: Expresses a state of mild fear, worry, or nervousness about something. It is a reduplicative form (láy) of the word "sợ" (to fear), often indicating a lesser degree or a more hesitant, creeping feeling of fear.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đứa bé trông có vẻ sờ sợ khi gặp người lạ. (The child looked slightly apprehensive when meeting a stranger.)
- Cô ấy cảm thấy sờ sợ trước kỳ thi quan trọng. (She felt a bit nervous before the important exam.)
- Bước vào ngôi nhà hoang, anh ta có chút sờ sợ. (Entering the abandoned house, he felt a little afraid.)
Advanced Usage
- "sờ sợ" as a descriptive state: Often used to describe a lingering, subtle fear rather than intense terror. It conveys hesitation and caution.
- Lòng sờ sợ không biết chuyện gì sẽ xảy ra. (A heart apprehensive, not knowing what will happen.)
Variants and Related Words
- Sợ (verb): To fear, to be afraid of. This is the root word.
- Tôi sợ ma. (I am afraid of ghosts.)
- Sợ hãi (adjective/verb): To be terrified, frightened. Indicates a stronger, more intense fear.
- Cô ấy sợ hãi khi nghe tiếng động lạ. (She was terrified when she heard a strange noise.)
- E sợ (adjective): Apprehensive, fearful. Similar to "sờ sợ" but can be slightly more formal or literary.
- Rụt rè (adjective): Timid, shy. Focuses more on shyness or hesitation in social situations, but can overlap with the cautious feeling of "sờ sợ."
Synonyms
- Lo lắng: To worry, to be anxious. More about worry than fear.
- Ái ngại: To be concerned, to feel uneasy. Often about a situation's potential negative outcome.
- Ngần ngại: To hesitate, to be reluctant. Focuses on the hesitation that comes from fear or doubt.
Related Idioms
- Sợ xanh mắt: To be scared out of one's wits (literally: to be so scared one's eyes turn green). Indicates extreme fear, much stronger than "sờ sợ."
- Sợ run cầm cập: To be trembling with fear. Describes the physical manifestation of intense fear.
- xem sợ (láy)