thót
Definition
Verb:
- To contract suddenly; to constrict; to narrow abruptly: Refers to something becoming tighter, narrower, or smaller in a specific part, often in a quick or involuntary motion.
- To vanish in an instant; to disappear in the blink of an eye: Describes something or someone disappearing suddenly and completely.
- To jump or spring suddenly; to leap with a quick motion: To move upwards or forwards with a sudden, sharp movement.
Adjective:
- Tapered; narrowing: Describes an object that is narrower at one part than another, such as having a constricted middle or base.
Usage Examples
Verb:
- Anh ấy thót bụng lại khi nhìn thấy con rắn. (He contracted his stomach when he saw the snake.)
- Đứa bé thót lên khỏi ghế vì vui sướng. (The child sprang up from the chair with joy.)
- Chiếc bóng đen thót đi mất trong đêm. (The dark shadow vanished into the night.)
Adjective:
- Chiếc lọ có cổ thót rất đẹp. (The vase has a beautifully tapered neck.)
Advanced Usage
"đánh thót": to startle violently; to cause a sudden, sharp jump (often from fear or surprise).
- Tiếng sét đánh thót một cái, làm mọi người giật mình. (The thunderclap startled everyone violently.)
"thon thót" (reduplicative form): describes a state of repeated nervous jumps or a fluttering, anxious feeling (often of the heart).
- Cô ấy đợi tin với tâm trạng thon thót. (She waited for news with a fluttering, anxious heart.)
Variants and Related Words
- Thót bụng (verb phrase): to suck in one's stomach; to contract the abdomen.
- Thót tim (verb phrase): to cause one's heart to leap (from fear or shock); to be heart-stopping.
Synonyms
- Contract: to draw together; to reduce in size.
- Vanish: to disappear suddenly.
- Leap: to jump suddenly.
- Tapered: becoming narrower toward one end.
Related Idioms
- Giật mình đánh thót: to be so startled one jumps. This emphasizes a sudden, physical reaction to a shock.
- Nghe tiếng gọi sau lưng, tôi giật mình đánh thót. (Hearing a call from behind, I jumped in startled surprise.)