xẻn lẻn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Shy, timid, bashful: A state of feeling awkward, self-conscious, or lacking confidence, especially in social situations. It describes a reserved or hesitant demeanor.
- Coy, demure: Suggesting a modest, reserved, or sometimes playfully shy attitude.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô bé trông thật xẻn lẻn khi gặp người lạ. (The little girl looks very shy when meeting strangers.)
- Anh ấy cười một cách xẻn lẻn rồi cúi mặt xuống. (He gave a bashful smile and then looked down.)
- Đừng có xẻn lẻn, hãy tự tin lên! (Don't be so timid, be more confident!)
Advanced Usage
- The word "xẻn lẻn" is often used in descriptive narratives to paint a character's gentle or apprehensive nature. It can imply a certain endearing quality.
Variants and Related Words
- Bẽn lẽn: This is a direct synonym, sharing the same meaning of shyness or bashfulness. The reference note indicates "xẻn lẻn" is a dialectal form similar to "bẽn lẽn."
- Rụt rè: (adj) timid, hesitant, shy.
- E thẹn: (adj) shy, bashful, often with a sense of modesty.
Synonyms
- Shy: Nervous or timid in the company of other people.
- Bashful: Reluctant to draw attention to oneself; shy.
- Timid: Showing a lack of courage or confidence; easily frightened.
- Coy: Making a pretense of shyness or modesty.
Related Idioms
- While "xẻn lẻn" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, the concept is central to phrases describing shy behavior.
- Làm duyên làm dáng: to act coy or coquettish. This can sometimes overlap with a playful, demure attitude similar to "xẻn lẻn."