tái tê
Definition
- Adjective:
- Aching, throbbing with numbness: Describes a physical sensation of dull, persistent pain often accompanied by a feeling of numbness or tingling, typically resulting from cold, impact, or illness.
- Heart-wrenching, deeply poignant: Describes an intense emotional state of sadness, pity, or sorrow that feels physically painful or chilling.
Usage Examples
Adjective (Physical Sensation):
- Tay chân tôi tái tê vì giá rét. (My limbs are aching and numb from the severe cold.)
- Sau cú ngã, chân anh ấy đau tái tê. (After the fall, his leg throbbed with a numb ache.)
Adjective (Emotional State):
- Câu chuyện của cô ấy khiến lòng tôi tái tê. (Her story made my heart ache with sorrow.)
- Nghe tin đó, ai nấy đều cảm thấy tái tê. (Upon hearing that news, everyone felt a deep, poignant sadness.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in literary or descriptive contexts to intensify the description of pain or emotion. It can be reduplicated for emphasis as "tê tái" or "tái tê tê tái", though "tê tái" is more common.
- Nỗi đau tê tái trong lòng. (A heart-wrenching pain inside.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tê tái (adj): An essentially synonymous variant, more frequently used, meaning aching, numb, or deeply sorrowful.
- Cảm giác tê tái lan khắp cánh tay. (A numb, aching sensation spread throughout the arm.)
Synonyms
- Aching: A continuous dull pain.
- Numb: Deprived of feeling, often with a tingling sensation.
- Heart-wrenching: Causing intense emotional distress or sadness.
- Poignant: Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
Related Idioms
- Đau tái tê / Đau tê tái: To hurt with a deep, numb ache (physical or emotional).
- Vết thương lòng đau tê tái. (The emotional wound aches deeply.)