trơ trơ
Definition
- 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.)