tâm tích

Definition

Noun:
- Secret thoughts or feelings; innermost sentiments: Refers to private emotions, thoughts, or intentions that a person keeps hidden within their heart and mind, not revealing to others.
- Hidden motives or concealed intentions: Denotes the underlying, often undisclosed, reasons or plans behind a person's actions or words.

Usage Examples

Noun:
- Anh ấy luôn giấu kín tâm tích của mình. (He always keeps his innermost feelings hidden.)
- Đừng tin lời ngọt ngào ấy, phải xem xét tâm tích thực sự của họ. (Don't believe that sweet talk; you must consider their true hidden motives.)
- Cô ấy viết nhật ký để ghi lại những tâm tích không thể chia sẻ. (She writes a diary to record the secret thoughts she cannot share.)

Advanced Usage

The term is often used in literary, psychological, or reflective contexts to discuss the depth of human emotion and the private inner world.
It can imply a certain depth or burden, suggesting these hidden feelings are significant and carefully guarded.

Variants and Related Words

Tâm tư (n): thoughts and feelings; state of mind. Often used interchangeably but can be slightly less secretive than "tâm tích."
- Anh ấy bộc bạch tâm tư với bạn thân. (He confided his thoughts and feelings to a close friend.)
Nỗi lòng (n): innermost feelings, heartfelt sentiments.
- Bài hát chạm đến nỗi lòng của người nghe. (The song touches the innermost feelings of the listener.)

Synonyms

Related Idioms

Giấu kín tâm tích: To conceal one's secret thoughts or feelings thoroughly.
- Bà ấy giấu kín tâm tích, không ai đoán được bà đang nghĩ gì. (She conceals her secret thoughts thoroughly; no one can guess what she is thinking.)
Lòng dạ kín mít: (An idiom with similar meaning) To be tight-lipped and secretive about one's intentions.
- Người đó lòng dạ kín mít, rất khó để hợp tác. (That person is very secretive and difficult to cooperate with.)