sởn ốc
Definition
- Adjective:
- To have goosebumps / gooseflesh: The primary meaning of "sởn ốc" is the physical reaction where the skin, especially on the arms, becomes temporarily bumpy due to cold, fear, awe, or a strong emotional experience.
- To be creeped out / to shudder: It describes a visceral feeling of sudden fear, disgust, or eerie excitement that causes a physical shiver.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nghe câu chuyện ma, tôi sởn ốc. (Listening to the ghost story, I got goosebumps.)
- Trời lạnh quá khiến da tôi sởn ốc. (The weather is so cold it gives me gooseflesh.)
- Cảnh phim kinh dị đó khiến khán giả sởn ốc. (That horror movie scene made the audience shudder.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase is often used to intensify the description of a frightening or chilling moment. It emphasizes the involuntary physical reaction more than the emotional state alone.
Variants and Related Words
- Nổi da gà: This is the most common and direct synonym phrase, meaning "to have chicken skin" (goosebumps).
- Anh ấy nổi da gà vì lạnh. (He has goosebumps from the cold.)
Synonyms
- To get goosebumps: The standard equivalent idiom.
- To get gooseflesh: A more formal synonym.
- To shudder: To tremble convulsively, typically from fear or revulsion.
- To be creeped out: To feel a sense of fear or disgust.
Related Idioms
- Dựng tóc gáy: Literally "hair standing up on the nape of the neck," meaning to be terrified or horrified. This is a stronger reaction than "sởn ốc."
- Câu chuyện ấy nghe mà dựng tóc gáy. (That story is hair-raising to listen to.)