tỉnh khô
Definition
- Adjective:
- Completely unfazed, utterly unruffled, stone-faced: Describes a person who remains perfectly calm, composed, and shows no emotional reaction whatsoever (such as surprise, shock, or guilt) in a situation where a reaction would normally be expected. It implies a deliberate or unnatural lack of response, as if nothing has happened.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Mọi người đều bàng hoàng, chỉ có nó là ngồi tỉnh khô. (Everyone was shocked, only he sat there completely unfazed.)
- Nghe tin đó mà anh ta vẫn tỉnh khô như không. (Upon hearing that news, he remained utterly unruffled as if nothing was wrong.)
- Bị phát hiện nói dối nhưng mặt nó vẫn tỉnh khô. (Caught in a lie, his face remained stone-faced.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase often carries a slightly negative or critical connotation, suggesting the person's calmness is inappropriate, insolent, or shows a lack of conscience.
- Làm sai hết mọi việc rồi lại còn tỉnh khô đòi lương. (He messed everything up and then had the nerve to ask for his salary, completely unruffled.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tỉnh (adj): awake, sober, calm. is an intensive form of .
- Bình thản (adj): calm, placid (generally positive).
- Vô cảm (adj): indifferent, unfeeling (stronger, more negative).
Synonyms
- Unfazed
- Unruffled
- Impassive
- Stone-faced
- Deadpan
Related Idioms
- Tỉnh như sáo: To be very alert and sober (often after sleep or intoxication). While also using , this idiom focuses on alertness rather than emotional impassivity.
- Lạnh lùng (adj): cold, cold-hearted. Describes a demeanor, whereas describes a specific reaction.