lạc loài

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The Vietnamese word "lạc loài" can be translated to English as "lost" or "out of place," often conveying a sense of being alone in a strange or unfamiliar environment. It describes a feeling of isolation or disconnection from one's surroundings or community.

Basic Explanation:

• Meaning: "Lạc loài" signifies a state of being alone or feeling like you don't belong, especially in a place that feels strange or foreign to you.
• Usage Context: You might use "lạc loài" to describe someone who feels lonely or out of place in a new city, among unfamiliar people, or in a challenging situation.

Example:

• Sentence: "Khi tôi chuyển đến thành phố mới, tôi cảm thấy lạc loài vì không có bạn bè nào." Translation: "When I moved to the new city, I felt lost because I didn’t have any friends."

Advanced Usage:

• In literature or poetry, "lạc loài" can be used to express deep emotional experiences, such as existential loneliness or the feeling of being disconnected from one's roots or identity.
• Example: "Nhân vật trong truyện cảm thấy lạc loài giữa dòng người đông đúc." Translation: "The character in the story felt lost among the crowd."

Word Variants:

• Lạc: can mean "lost" or "stray."
• Loài: generally refers to a "species" or "kind," but in this context, it adds to the notion of being out of place or belonging to a different category.

Different Meanings:

• "Lạc loài" is primarily used to express feelings of alienation or disconnection. However, when used in a different context, it can also refer to someone or something that is misplaced or not in its proper location.

Synonyms:

• Cô đơn: means "lonely."
• Lạc lõng: another expression that conveys a similar sense of being lost or out of place.
• Bơ vơ: means "lost" or "abandoned," often used to describe a person who is wandering without purpose.

Academic

1. alone in a strange land