trô trố
Definition
- Adjective:
- Wide-eyed; staring with eyes wide open: Describes the action of opening one's eyes very wide, typically due to surprise, fear, or intense curiosity. It implies a fixed, unblinking gaze.
- Gawking; gazing fixedly: Can also describe staring in a rude, obvious, or astonished manner.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Đứa bé nhìn trô trố vào màn hình. (The child stared wide-eyed at the screen.)
- Cô ấy đứng đó, mắt trô trố vì kinh ngạc. (She stood there, her eyes wide with astonishment.)
- Đừng nhìn trô trố người khác như thế, nó rất mất lịch sự. (Don't gawk at others like that; it's very impolite.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "trô trố" is almost exclusively used to modify the verb "nhìn" (to look) or to describe the state of the eyes ("mắt trô trố"). It is an expressive, onomatopoeic word that vividly conveys the image of bulging or protruding eyes.
Variants and Related Words
- Trố (adj): A root form meaning to bulge or protrude (often used for eyes). "Trô trố" is a reduplicative form that intensifies the meaning.
- Nó trố mắt ra nhìn. (He bulged his eyes out to look.)
Synonyms
- To stare: to look fixedly or vacantly at someone or something.
- To gawk: to stare openly and stupidly.
- Wide-eyed: having the eyes wide open, especially with wonder or astonishment.
Related Idioms
- Nhìn trô trố như bò ngó chuông: To stare dumbfoundedly (like a cow looking at a bell). This idiom emphasizes a clueless, astonished, or foolish stare.
- Nó nghe tin mà nhìn trô trố như bò ngó chuông. (He heard the news and stared dumbfoundedly.)