Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Unsteady, shaky, jerky: Describes a movement or action that is not smooth, characterized by sudden, irregular starts and stops, often due to lack of control, nervousness, or instability.
   • Faltering, hesitant: Can describe speech, progress, or action that is uncertain and proceeds with interruptions.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chữ viết của cậu bé mới tập viết còn rất dậm dật. (The handwriting of the boy who is just learning to write is still very shaky/unsteady.)
  • Chiếc xe máy cũ chạy một cách dậm dật trên con đường gập ghềnh. (The old motorbike ran jerkily on the bumpy road.)
  • Giọng nói của anh ấy nghe có vẻ dậm dật vì quá căng thẳng. (His voice sounded faltering because he was too nervous.)

Advanced Usage

• "nói năng dậm dật": to speak falteringly/hesitantly.

  • Cô ấy nói năng dậm dật khi phải thuyết trình trước đám đông. (She spoke falteringly when she had to present in front of a crowd.)

• "bước đi dậm dật": to walk with unsteady/jerky steps.

  • Người say rượu bước đi dậm dật trên vỉa hè. (The drunk man walked with unsteady steps on the sidewalk.)

Variants and Related Words

• Giậm giật (adjective): This is a variant form with the same meaning as "dậm dật". It is often used interchangeably.
  • Động cơ khởi động một cách giậm giật. (The engine started up jerkily.)

Synonyms

• Run rẩy: trembling, quivering (often due to cold or fear, implying smaller, faster movements).
• Lập cập: stammering, stuttering (specifically for speech); also can mean shaky (e.g., legs).
• Không đều: uneven, irregular (more general, not necessarily implying jerky motion).

Notes on Usage

• "Dậm dật" is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese and informal contexts to vividly describe irregular, uncontrolled movement or action.
• It often carries a slightly negative connotation, implying a lack of smoothness, skill, or stability.
• The variant "giậm giật" is equally common. The choice between "dậm dật" and "giậm giật" is often a matter of regional preference or habit.

1. xem giậm giật