xao xuyến

Vietnamese

Etymology

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium. Particularly: “disyllable with meaningless single syllables?”)

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [saːw˧˧ swiən˧˦]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [saːw˧˧ swiəŋ˦˧˥]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [saːw˧˧ s⁽ʷ⁾iəŋ˦˥]

Adjective

xao xuyến

1. emotionally troubled, confused
   • 2005, chapter 1, in Cao Tự Thanh, transl., Anh hùng xạ điêu, Văn học, translation of 射雕英雄传 by Jīn Yōng (Kim Dung):

     […] bèn cúi đầu đưa mắt nhìn trộm Nhan Liệt, thấy y hoàn toàn không có vẻ khinh bạc, nhất thời trong lòng xao xuyến, cũng không biết nên buồn hay vui.

     […] so she lowered her head and stealthily looked at Yán Liè; he did not at all seem disrespectful; at the same time she felt troubled and did not know whether she should be sad or happy.