thẹn lòng

Một cô gái thẹn lòng khi nhận được lời khen.

Definition

1. Adjective (idiomatic phrase):
   • To feel inner shame or deep embarrassment: Refers to a profound sense of shame, shyness, or modesty that arises from one's conscience or inner feelings, often due to a perceived fault, inadequacy, or breach of propriety.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nghĩ đến lỗi lầm cũ, cô ấy thẹn lòng. (Thinking of her past mistake, she felt deep shame.)
  • Được khen ngợi quá nhiều, anh ấy cảm thấy thẹn lòng. (Praised too much, he felt bashful.)
  • Hành động của tôi khiến tôi thẹn lòng. (My actions made me feel ashamed inside.)

Advanced Usage

• This phrase is primarily used in literary or formal contexts to describe a moral or emotional state. It emphasizes an internal, personal feeling rather than a public humiliation.

Variants and Related Words

• Hổ thẹn (v): to be ashamed, often with a stronger connotation of disgrace.

  • Nó không biết hổ thẹn. (He does not know shame.)

• Ngượng ngùng (adj): to feel awkward or shy in a social situation, generally less profound than "thẹn lòng."

  • Cô ấy ngượng ngùng khi gặp người lạ. (She felt shy when meeting strangers.)

Synonyms

• Ashamed: feeling shame or guilt.
• Bashful: socially shy or timid.
• Abashed: embarrassed or disconcerted.

Related Idioms

• Thẹn thuồng: to feel flustered and ashamed, often visibly.

  • Cậu bé thẹn thuồng cúi mặt. (The boy, feeling abashed, lowered his head.)

• Thẹn thùng: to be shy or demure, often used for a coy, modest demeanor.

  • Cô dâu trông thật thẹn thùng. (The bride looked very demure.)