thèn thẹn

Một cô bé thèn thẹn cúi mặt khi được khen.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly ashamed or bashful: Describes a mild state of shyness, embarrassment, or self-consciousness, often due to modesty or a minor awkwardness.
   • Somewhat abashed: Feeling a little disconcerted or timid, typically in a gentle, non-severe manner.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô bé trả lời với giọng thèn thẹn. (The little girl answered in a slightly bashful voice.)
  • Anh ấy cảm thấy thèn thẹn khi được khen ngợi trước đám đông. (He felt somewhat abashed when praised in front of the crowd.)
  • Nụ cười thèn thẹn của cô ấy rất dễ thương. (Her somewhat shy smile is very lovely.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "thèn thẹn" is an example of a Vietnamese reduplicative, formed from the root "thẹn" (ashamed, shy). Reduplication often softens the meaning, indicating a lesser degree or a more endearing quality. It describes a light, often charming or innocent, form of embarrassment.

Variants and Related Words

• Thẹn (adj): ashamed, shy, embarrassed. This is the root word with a stronger or more direct meaning.
  • Cô ấy thẹn đỏ mặt. (She was so ashamed she blushed.)

Synonyms

• Bashful: shy and easily embarrassed.
• Abashed: embarrassed, disconcerted, or ashamed.
• Coy: pretending shyness or modesty, which can overlap with the playful nuance of .

Related Idioms

• While "thèn thẹn" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is related to expressions about shyness and modesty.
• E thẹn: A common phrase meaning to feel shy or embarrassed.
  • Cô ấy e thẹn không dám bước lên sân khấu. (She was too shy to step onto the stage.)