tư lự
Definition
- Adjective:
- Pensive / Thoughtful: Describes a state of being deeply absorbed in serious, often quiet, thought. It implies a reflective or contemplative mood, sometimes tinged with worry or melancholy.
- Preoccupied / Brooding: Suggests being engrossed in one's own thoughts to the point of distraction, often due to concern or anxiety about something.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Anh ấy ngồi yên lặng với vẻ mặt tư lự. (He sat quietly with a pensive expression.)
- Sau khi nghe tin, cô ấy trở nên tư lự suốt cả ngày. (After hearing the news, she became thoughtful all day.)
- Một ánh mắt tư lự (A pensive look)
Advanced Usage
- The word "tư lự" is primarily used in literary or descriptive contexts to depict a character's inner state. It is more specific than general words for "thinking" and carries a connotation of depth and seriousness.
Variants and Related Words
- Suy tư (v/n): to ponder / deep thought. This is a close synonym but is more active, often implying the process of philosophical reflection.
- Ông ấy suy tư về ý nghĩa cuộc sống. (He pondered the meaning of life.)
- Trầm tư (adj): meditative, contemplative. Similar to "tư lự" but often with a calmer, less troubled connotation.
- Vẻ trầm tư của một nhà hiền triết. (The meditative demeanor of a sage.)
Synonyms
- Pensive: Engaged in deep thought.
- Thoughtful: Showing careful consideration or absorbed in thought.
- Brooding: Showing deep unhappiness of thought.
- Preoccupied: Mentally absorbed in something.
Related Idioms
- Mặt mày tư lự: To have a pensive or worried look on one's face.
- Cậu bé mặt mày tư lự vì bài toán khó. (The boy had a worried look because of the difficult math problem.)