tẽn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Embarrassed, abashed, or crestfallen: The primary meaning of "tẽn" describes the feeling of being ashamed, awkward, or losing confidence due to one's own mistake, failure, or being proven wrong in front of others. It implies a deflated or sheepish state.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nghe mọi người cười, nó đứng tẽn mặt ra. (Hearing everyone laugh, he stood there looking utterly embarrassed.)
- Bị bóc mẽ, anh ta chỉ biết cười tẽn. (Exposed, he could only give an abashed smile.)
- Kế hoạch thất bại, cả nhóm ngồi tẽn tò. (The plan failed, and the whole group sat there crestfallen.)
Advanced Usage
- "tẽn tò": This is a common reduplicative form that intensifies the feeling of embarrassment and awkwardness. It is often used to describe a visible state of being flustered and ashamed.
- Cô ấy bị chỉ ra lỗi sai trước đám đông nên cảm thấy rất tẽn tò. (She was pointed out for her mistake in front of the crowd, so she felt deeply embarrassed.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tẽn tò (adj): A variant form meaning deeply embarrassed, sheepish, or crestfallen.
Synonyms
- Abashed: Embarrassed or disconcerted.
- Crestfallen: Sad and disappointed.
- Sheepish: Showing embarrassment from shame or foolishness.
- Chagrined: Feeling distressed or humiliated.
Related Idioms
- Tẽn mặt: Literally "embarrassed face," used to describe someone whose face shows clear signs of embarrassment or shame.
- Lời nói dối bị phát hiện, hắn tẽn mặt bỏ đi. (His lie was discovered, and he left in shame.)
- Cười tẽn: To give an embarrassed, awkward, or forced smile.
- Anh ấy cười tẽn khi nhận ra lỗi của mình. (He gave an embarrassed smile when he realized his error.)