trầm tư
Definition
- Adjective:
- Pensive / Thoughtful: Describes a state of being deeply absorbed in thought, often with a serious, quiet, or slightly sad demeanor. It implies quiet contemplation or reflection.
- Meditative: Characterized by deep, sustained thought, often with a spiritual or philosophical focus.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Sau tin buồn, anh ấy ngồi trầm tư một mình. (After the sad news, he sat alone, pensive.)
- Vẻ mặt trầm tư của nhà triết học. (The philosopher's meditative expression.)
- Cô ấy nhìn ra cửa sổ với ánh mắt trầm tư. (She looked out the window with a thoughtful gaze.)
Advanced Usage
- "trầm tư mặc tưởng": A four-word idiom meaning to be deeply lost in thought or meditation; to be in a state of profound contemplation, often detached from immediate surroundings.
- Ông cụ ngồi trầm tư mặc tưởng bên bờ sông. (The old man sat in deep meditation by the riverbank.)
Variants and Related Words
- Suy tư (v/n): to ponder, to muse; deep thought. This is a close synonym but can be more active than the adjectival "trầm tư."
- Anh ấy suy tư về ý nghĩa cuộc sống. (He pondered the meaning of life.)
Synonyms
- Pensive: Engaged in deep or serious thought.
- Contemplative: Involving or given to deep thoughtful observation.
- Meditative: Absorbed in meditation or thought.
- Thoughtful: Showing careful consideration or absorbed in thought.
Related Idioms
- Trầm tư mặc tưởng: As detailed above, this is the primary and classic idiom associated with the word, emphasizing a state of profound, silent contemplation.