tiêng tiếc

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Regretful / Feeling regret: Expressing a sense of sadness, disappointment, or sorrow about something that has happened, been lost, or been missed. It describes a state of feeling sorry about a situation or outcome.
   • Reluctant / Grudging: Describes an action done with hesitation or unwillingness, often because one is sorry to part with something (like time, money, or an object).

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy cảm thấy rất tiêng tiếc khi không thể tham dự đám cưới. (He felt very regretful for not being able to attend the wedding.)
  • Cô ấy gật đầu với vẻ tiêng tiếc. (She nodded with a reluctant air.)
  • Một sự im lặng tiêng tiếc. (A regretful silence.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "tiêng tiếc" is considered a variant or a less common, slightly poetic form of the standard adjective "tiếc". Its usage follows the same grammatical patterns as "tiếc" but may convey a nuanced, perhaps more lingering or poignant sense of regret.

Variants and Related Words

• Tiếc (adj): The standard and more common form meaning "to regret", "to feel sorry", or "to be reluctant".

  • Tôi tiếc vì đã không học chăm chỉ hơn. (I regret not studying harder.)

• Tiếc nuối (adj): A compound word emphasizing a deeper, often lingering sense of regret or nostalgia.

  • Anh ấy nhìn lại quá khứ với nhiều tiếc nuối. (He looks back on the past with much regret.)

Synonyms

• Regretful: Feeling or expressing regret.
• Sorry: Feeling sorrow or regret.
• Reluctant: Unwilling and hesitant.

Related Idioms

• Tiếc của: To be stingy or to regret parting with one's possessions/money.

  • Đừng tiếc của, hãy giúp đỡ người khác. (Don't be stingy, help others.)

• Tiếc hùi hụi: To regret something immensely or bitterly.

  • Cô ấy tiếc hùi hụi vì đã bán chiếc xe đó. (She bitterly regrets selling that car.)