thẹn thẹn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slightly shy or bashful: Describes a mild, gentle feeling of shyness, embarrassment, or modesty. It is a reduplicated, softened form of "thẹn" (shy/ashamed), indicating a lesser degree of the feeling.
- A bit embarrassed: Conveys a light sense of self-consciousness or awkwardness, often in a charming or endearing way.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô bé cười, nét mặt thẹn thẹn. (The little girl smiled, her expression slightly bashful.)
- Nghe lời khen, anh ấy đáp lại bằng một nụ cười thẹn thẹn. (Hearing the compliment, he replied with a somewhat embarrassed smile.)
- Cô ấy gật đầu với vẻ thẹn thẹn đồng ý. (She nodded in agreement with a shy demeanor.)
Advanced Usage
- Descriptive Adverb: Can function descriptively to modify a verb, indicating an action is done in a shy manner.
- Cậu bé thẹn thẹn giấu mình sau lưng mẹ. (The boy hid behind his mother shyly.)
Variants and Related Words
Thẹn (adj): The root word meaning shy, ashamed, or embarrassed.
- Cô ấy cảm thấy thẹn khi bị phát hiện. (She felt ashamed when she was discovered.)
Thẹn thuồng (adj): Similar to "thẹn thẹn" but can sometimes imply a slightly more flustered or abashed feeling.
- Anh ta đứng đó với vẻ thẹn thuồng. (He stood there looking quite abashed.)
Synonyms
- Bashful: Showing shyness or modesty.
- Coy: Pretending shyness or modesty, often playfully.
- Diffident: Modest or shy due to a lack of self-confidence.
- Self-conscious: Aware of oneself in an uncomfortable, slightly embarrassed way.
Related Idioms
Làm thẹn: To cause someone to feel ashamed or embarrassed.
- Hành động của anh ta làm thẹn cả gia đình. (His actions brought shame upon the whole family.)
Mặt dày mày dạn: (Idiom with opposite meaning) Thick-skinned; brazen, not easily embarrassed.
- Anh ta chẳng biết thẹn là gì, đúng là mặt dày mày dạn. (He doesn't know what shame is, he's truly thick-skinned.)