xon xót
Definition
- Adjective:
- Aching with sorrow or pity: Describes a deep, poignant feeling of sadness, compassion, or heartache, often in response to witnessing suffering or loss.
- Feeling a sharp pang of emotion: Conveys a sudden, keen sense of emotional pain, such as regret, sympathy, or nostalgic sorrow.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Lòng tôi xon xót khi nhìn thấy cảnh đó. (My heart ached with sorrow when I saw that scene.)
- Bà cảm thấy xon xót trước số phận của đứa trẻ mồ côi. (She felt a sharp pang of pity for the orphaned child's fate.)
- Nghe câu chuyện của anh ấy, ai cũng thấy xon xót. (Listening to his story, everyone felt a heart-wrenching sadness.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used to describe an internal, visceral emotional response. It emphasizes a feeling that is physically felt in one's heart or chest.
- Commonly paired with words for heart () or feeling () to describe the emotional state.
Variants and Related Words
- Xót xa (adj): Sorrowful, distressed. A close synonym with a similar meaning of heartfelt grief or pain.
- Cô ấy xót xa khi nhớ về quá khứ. (She felt sorrowful when remembering the past.)
Synonyms
- Heartache: Severe emotional distress or anguish.
- Pity: The feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the suffering of others.
- Poignant: Evoking a keen sense of sadness or regret.
Related Idioms
- Lòng đau xon xót: An aching heart; used to emphasize deep emotional pain.
- Nghe tin dữ, lòng bà đau xon xót. (Upon hearing the bad news, her heart ached with sorrow.)