Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Furtively; stealthily: Describes moving or acting in a secretive, quiet manner to avoid being noticed, often with a sense of keeping one's head down or being withdrawn.
   • In a solitary or withdrawn manner: Describes behaving in a way that is isolated, keeping to oneself, or avoiding social interaction.

2. Adjective:

   • Secretive; withdrawn: Characterizes a person or their behavior as being inclined to act alone and avoid attention or company.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • Nó cứ thùi lủi một mình trong phòng cả ngày. (He just stays in his room alone all day, keeping to himself.)
  • Con mèo thùi lủi đi qua nhà bếp. (The cat sneaked furtively through the kitchen.)

• Adjective:

  • Tính nó rất thùi lủi, ít khi ra ngoài chơi. (He has a very withdrawn personality; he rarely goes out to socialize.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a nuance of moving or behaving in a hunched, unobtrusive way, like someone trying to make themselves small or invisible. It implies a continuous or habitual action.

Variants and Related Words

• Thui thủi: A very close variant with essentially the same meaning, describing being alone or acting stealthily.
  • Bà cụ sống thui thủi trong căn nhà nhỏ. (The old woman lives all alone in a small house.)

Synonyms

• Stealthily: In a cautious and secretive manner.
• Furtively: Attempting to avoid notice or attention.
• Withdrawn: Not wanting to communicate or be with other people.
• Solitary: Done or existing alone.

Related Idioms

• Lủi thủi một mình: To be all alone, often with a connotation of loneliness or isolation.
  • Sau khi con cái đi xa, ông ấy cứ lủi thủi một mình. (After his children moved away, he was just all by himself.)