tủi tay
Definition
Adjective: - Describes the reluctant or regretful feeling one has when having to return or give back something that one had already received or taken possession of. It conveys a sense of unwillingness, disappointment, or slight shame associated with the act of relinquishment.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nhận tiền thưởng rồi, nhưng vì lý do đặc biệt phải trả lại, anh ấy cảm thấy rất tủi tay. (He had received the bonus, but due to special reasons had to give it back, and he felt very reluctant/disappointed.)
- Được tặng món quà đẹp quá, giờ bảo trả lại thật là tủi tay. (Being given such a beautiful gift, now being told to return it is truly disappointing.)
Advanced Usage
- The feeling is often internal and personal. It is not typically used for legally mandated returns but more for situations involving social courtesy, gifts, or unexpected requests for restitution.
- It can imply a subtle social awkwardness or a bruised sense of possession.
Variants and Related Words
- Tủi thân (adj): Feeling sorry for oneself, self-pity.
- Cô ấy ngồi một mình tủi thân. (She sat alone feeling sorry for herself.)
- Hối tiếc (adj): To regret, to feel remorse (a more general term for regret, not specific to returning items).
Synonyms
- Reluctant: Unwilling and hesitant.
- Regretful: Feeling sadness or disappointment over something.
- Disappointed: Sad or displeased because something has not been fulfilled.
Related Idioms
- Ăn rồi lại phải nhả ra: An idiom meaning "to have to spit out what you've already eaten," closely related to the concept of "tủi tay," describing the bitter feeling of having to give back what was already gained.