Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Dumbfounded; nonplussed; caught off guard: A state of being momentarily stunned, speechless, or at a loss due to a sudden, unexpected event, often one that causes disappointment, embarrassment, or confusion. It describes the feeling when one's expectations are abruptly upended.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ta đứng tưng hửng một lúc lâu. (Hearing that news, he stood dumbfounded for a long while.)
  • Cô ấy hỏi một câu khó, làm tôi tưng hửng không biết trả lời thế nào. (She asked a difficult question, leaving me nonplussed, not knowing how to answer.)
  • Chắc mẩm sẽ đỗ, không thấy tên mình đâm ra tưng hửng. (Being sure of passing, then not seeing his name, he was suddenly crestfallen.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often implies a physical pause or freeze in reaction, not just an internal feeling. It describes the visible state of being momentarily paralyzed by surprise.

Variants and Related Words

• Tâng hẫng: A common variant spelling and pronunciation with the same meaning.
• Chưng hửng: An older or less common variant form.

Synonyms

• Bewildered: perplexed and confused.
• Crestfallen: sad and disappointed.
• Flabbergasted: extremely surprised and shocked.
• Taken aback: surprised and disconcerted.

Related Idioms

• Đứng hình: A modern, colloquial idiom with a similar meaning of "to freeze (like a statue)" in surprise or shock.
  • Tin ấy làm cả phòng đứng hình. (That news made the whole room freeze.)