Definition

1. Onomatopoeia:
   • A word that imitates a sharp, repetitive, metallic clanging or clacking sound, often produced by two hard objects striking together.
   • It describes a rhythmic, percussive noise, such as that made by a hammer hitting metal, loose parts rattling, or objects knocking together.

Usage Examples

• Onomatopoeia:
  • Tiếng búa đập vào sắt nghe "cóc cách". (The sound of the hammer hitting iron goes "clang clang".)
  • Chiếc xe cũ kêu cóc cách trên đường gồ ghề. (The old car rattled and clanged on the bumpy road.)
  • Anh ấy gõ cóc cách vào ống nước. (He clanged on the water pipe.)

Advanced Usage

• "cóc ca cóc cách": An extended onomatopoeic phrase emphasizing a continuous, irregular series of clanging sounds.
  • Máy cũ khởi động với âm thanh cóc ca cóc cách. (The old machine started with a clattering and clanging sound.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cóc (onomatopoeia): A shorter, sharper single clack or tap sound.

  • Viên sỏi rơi cóc xuống nền đá. (The pebble fell with a tock onto the stone floor.)

• Cách (onomatopoeia): Often used with "cóc", it contributes to the sense of a hard, striking sound.

  • Nghe tiếng cách một cái. (Hear a single clack.)

Synonyms

• Clang: A loud, resonant metallic sound.
• Clatter: A continuous rattling sound as of hard objects falling or striking together.
• Rattle: A rapid succession of short, sharp sounds.

Related Idioms

• While not a standalone idiom, "cóc cách" is frequently used in descriptive phrases to vividly convey sound imagery in storytelling.
  • Cả xưởng vang lên tiếng cóc cách của những chiếc búa. (The whole workshop echoed with the clang clang of hammers.)

1. To clang
   • gõ cóc cách
     to clang with a hammer
   • cóc ca cóc cách
     to clang and clang