Definition

Verb: - To sob: To cry with short, quick breaths, often while trying to control or suppress the sound due to deep sorrow, pain, or overwhelming emotion. It describes a convulsive, broken form of weeping.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô gái ngồi thổn thức một mình trong góc phòng. (The girl sat sobbing alone in the corner of the room.)
  • Nghe tin buồn, anh ấy thổn thức không nói nên lời. (Hearing the sad news, he sobbed, unable to speak.)
  • Trái tim cô thổn thức khi nhớ về kỷ niệm cũ. (Her heart sobbed when remembering the old memory.)

Advanced Usage

• Emotional State: While primarily meaning to sob audibly, "thổn thức" can also poetically describe a state of inner turmoil or a heart fluttering with poignant, stirring emotion.
  • Một giai điệu khiến lòng tôi thổn thức. (A melody that made my heart sob/ache with emotion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nức nở (v): To weep, to sob. This is a close synonym, though "nức nở" may imply a more audible, prolonged sobbing sound compared to the sometimes more suppressed quality of "thổn thức."

Synonyms

• Sob: To cry noisily, taking in short, sudden breaths.
• Weep convulsively: To cry with involuntary heaves or shudders.

Related Idioms

Note: "Thổn thức" is typically used as a standalone verb and is not commonly part of fixed idiomatic expressions. Its power lies in its direct descriptive use.

verb

1. to sob