chậm rì
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely slow or sluggish: Describes an action, process, or movement that is excessively and often irritatingly slow. It emphasizes a degree of slowness beyond simple "chậm" (slow).
- At a snail's pace: Functions as an adverbial phrase to describe the manner in which an action is performed, highlighting a lack of speed or urgency.
Usage Examples
- Adjective/Adverbial:
- Cô ấy đi chậm rì cả buổi sáng. (She walked at a snail's pace all morning.)
- Tiến độ dự án này chậm rì. (The progress of this project is extremely slow.)
- Đừng có làm chậm rì như vậy! (Don't work so incredibly slowly!)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used in informal, spoken Vietnamese to express criticism, impatience, or frustration with the lack of speed. It carries a stronger negative connotation than the neutral "chậm".
Variants and Related Words
- Chậm chạp (adj): slow, sluggish. (Less emphatic than "chậm rì").
- Rì rà (adj/adv): dawdling, moving slowly and aimlessly. Can be used similarly to "chậm rì" but may imply more leisureliness than frustration.
Synonyms
- Very slow: at a very low speed.
- Sluggish: lacking energy or speed.
- At a crawl: moving very slowly.
Related Idioms
- Chậm như rùa: as slow as a turtle. A common simile for extreme slowness.
- Nó viết bài chậm như rùa. (He writes as slow as a turtle.)