trẽn mặt
Definition
- Adjective (Regional/Dialectal):
- To be or become completely embarrassed, abashed, or ashamed; to be left speechless with shame. This word describes a state of acute self-consciousness and discomfort due to a social misstep, mistake, or being caught in an awkward situation, often resulting in a flushed face and an inability to respond.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nghe lời phê bình, nó trẽn mặt không nói được câu nào. (Hearing the criticism, he was utterly abashed and couldn't say a word.)
- Bị bắt quả tang, tên trộm trẽn mặt đứng im. (Caught red-handed, the thief stood still, completely ashamed.)
- Cô ấy trẽn mặt khi nhận ra mình đã hiểu lầm. (She was deeply embarrassed when she realized she had misunderstood.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "trẽn mặt" is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese and is considered a regional or dialectal term. Its usage conveys a strong, immediate physical reaction of shame (implied by "mặt" - face).
Variants and Related Words
- Ngượng ngùng (adj): shy, embarrassed (a more standard and common synonym).
- Xấu hổ (adj): ashamed, feeling shame.
- Bẽ mặt (adj): to lose face, to be humiliated (shares a similar meaning but often implies a stronger sense of public humiliation).
Synonyms
- Abashed: embarrassed or disconcerted.
- Mortified: extremely embarrassed or ashamed.
- Crestfallen: sad and disappointed.
Related Idioms
- Bẽ bàng: to feel deeply ashamed and humiliated.
- Anh ta cảm thấy bẽ bàng trước đám đông. (He felt deeply humiliated in front of the crowd.)
- Nóng mặt: to feel one's face grow hot from embarrassment or anger.
- Cô ấy nóng mặt vì xấu hổ. (Her face burned with shame.)