sâu cay
[səw˧˧ kaj˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(adjective) painful; bitter; profound
Adjective
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
thất bại sâu caybitter failure
Thất bại trên tình trường của anh ta đã để lại bài học sâu cay không dứt chính bởi lòng son sắt đã phai mờ.The failure on the boy's love affairs had left a bitter lesson about his then faded commitment.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Common questions
What does “sâu cay” mean?
(adjective) painful; bitter; profound
Is “sâu cay” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.