Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unmoving and indifferent: Describes a state of remaining completely still, unchanged, or unresponsive, often implying a stubborn or impassive quality.
   • Shamelessly brazen: Describes a person's demeanor that is blatantly unashamed, thick-skinned, or impervious to shame or criticism.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nó ngồi đó, mặt cứ trơ trơ ra, không nói một lời. (He sat there, his face completely impassive, not saying a word.)
  • Tảng đá lớn nằm trơ trơ giữa dòng suối. (The large rock lay unmoving in the middle of the stream.)
  • Làm sai mà thái độ vẫn trơ trơ, không biết xấu hổ. (He was wrong but his attitude remained brazen, without any shame.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "trơ trơ" is often used in a reduplicative form to intensify the base adjective "trơ" (meaning bare, exposed, or impassive). It emphasizes a state of being utterly fixed, unmoved, or unabashed.

Variants and Related Words

• Trơ (adj): bare, exposed, or impassive.
  • Mặt trơ (an impassive face).
• Trơ lì (adj): obstinate, hardened, shameless.
  • Thằng bé trơ lì không chịu nghe lời. (The boy is obstinate and refuses to listen.)

Synonyms

• Impassive: not feeling or showing emotion.
• Unmoving: not moving; motionless.
• Brazen: bold and without shame.
• Impervious: unable to be affected by.

Related Idioms

• Trơ như đá: as impassive/unfeeling as a stone.
  • Anh ta nghe tin dữ mà vẫn trơ như đá. (He heard the bad news but remained as impassive as a stone.)
• Trơ mắt ra: to stare blankly or in stunned disbelief.
  • Tôi chỉ biết trơ mắt ra nhìn. (I could only stare blankly.)