Definition

Adjective: * Rapid and successive; coming in quick, heavy succession: Describes events, actions, or sensations that occur one after another in a fast, intense, and often overwhelming manner within a relatively short period. It conveys a sense of pressure, urgency, or high frequency. * Example: The questions came dồn dập, leaving him no time to think. * (Of breath) Panting; gasping; coming in short, quick bursts: Specifically describes rapid, heavy breathing, often due to exertion, fear, or excitement. * Example: After running, her breath was dồn dập.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Những cơn mưa dồn dập đổ xuống suốt tuần. (The rains came pouring down in rapid succession all week.)
  • Anh ấy nhận được tin nhắn dồn dập từ bạn bè. (He received messages in a rapid flurry from his friends.)
  • Tiếng súng vang lên dồn dập. (Gunshots rang out in rapid bursts.)
  • Tim cô đập dồn dập vì lo lắng. (Her heart was beating rapidly/pounding with anxiety.)

Advanced Usage

• Used adverbially: Often functions like an adverb to describe how an action is performed.
  • Công việc ập đến dồn dập. (Work arrived in a relentless rush.)
• Describing abstract concepts: Can describe non-physical things like events, deadlines, or emotions.
  • Những sự kiện dồn dập xảy ra khiến mọi người bối rối. (The rapid-fire events caused everyone confusion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dồn (verb): To press; to accumulate; to force together.
  • Example: Dồn nợ. (To accumulate debt.)
• Dập dồn (adjective, reduplicative form): Often used poetically to describe waves or rhythmic movements that rise and fall successively.
  • Example: Sóng biển dập dồn. (The sea waves rise and fall in succession.)

Synonyms

• Liên tiếp: Consecutive, successive (focuses on the sequence).
• Ào ạt: Torrential, overwhelming, in a surge (emphasizes force and volume).
• Gấp gáp: Hurried, urgent (emphasizes haste and pressure).
• Thình lình / Bất ngờ: Sudden, abrupt (emphasizes unexpectedness, but not necessarily repetition).

Related Phrases / Idiomatic Expressions

• Dồn dập tới tấp: An intensified phrase meaning "in an incessant, overwhelming barrage."
  • Example: Lời chỉ trích dồn dập tới tấp. (Criticism came in an incessant, overwhelming barrage.)

verb

1. To accumulate