thu mình
Definition
- Verb (reflexive):
- To withdraw into oneself / to retreat inward: To physically or emotionally pull back, becoming less visible, active, or engaged with the outside world. It often implies making oneself smaller or more inconspicuous.
- To confine oneself / to isolate oneself: To restrict oneself to a limited space, role, or activity, often by choice or due to circumstance.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Con mèo sợ hãi thu mình vào góc tường. (The frightened cat withdrew into the corner of the wall.)
- Sau thất bại, anh ấy thu mình lại và ít giao tiếp. (After the failure, he retreated into himself and communicated less.)
- Nhà văn thu mình trong thư viện để hoàn thành cuốn sách. (The writer confined himself in the library to finish his book.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe a psychological state of introversion or self-protection.
- Cô ấy có xu hướng thu mình trước đám đông. (She has a tendency to withdraw in front of crowds.)
Variants and Related Words
- Thu hình (v): An older or less common variant with a similar meaning of confining or withdrawing.
Synonyms
- To withdraw: To remove oneself from participation or contact.
- To retreat: To pull back, especially for safety or privacy.
- To shrink back: To recoil or move away due to fear or shyness.
- To huddle: To curl one's body into a small space.
Related Idioms
- Thu mình trong vỏ ốc: To retreat into one's shell (like a snail).
- Đừng thu mình trong vỏ ốc mãi, hãy ra ngoài và khám phá. (Don't retreat into your shell forever; go out and explore.)