Definition

1. Verb:

   • To ripple: To form or cause a series of small, gentle waves or undulations on the surface of a liquid.
   • To undulate: To move with a smooth, wavelike motion or appearance.

2. Noun:

   • A ripple: A small wave or series of waves on the surface of water.
   • An undulation: A wavy form, outline, or pattern, often seen in materials like wood or fabric.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Mặt hồ dợn nhẹ vì gió. (The lake surface rippled gently because of the wind.)
  • Tấm lụa dợn theo từng bước chân cô ấy. (The silk undulated with her every step.)
• Noun:
  • Không một dợn sóng trên mặt biển phẳng lặng. (There was not a single ripple on the calm sea surface.)
  • Mặt gỗ này có những dợn rất đẹp. (This wood surface has very beautiful undulations.)

Advanced Usage

• "dợn sóng": This common compound means "to ripple" or "to form waves" and is often used as a single concept.
  • Gió thổi làm mặt nước dợn sóng. (The wind blew, making the water's surface ripple.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gợn (v/n): A very close synonym, also meaning "to ripple" or "a ripple." and are often interchangeable.
• Sóng (n): Wave. refers specifically to small, gentle waves or ripples.

Synonyms

• Ripple (verb/noun): To form small waves; a small wave.
• Undulate (verb): To move with a smooth, wavy motion.

Related Idioms

• Dợn lòng / Dạ dợn lên: An idiom describing a sudden, wave-like feeling of emotion (often anxiety, nervousness, or longing) rising in one's heart or stomach.
  • Nghe tin ấy, lòng tôi dợn lên một nỗi lo. (Hearing that news, my heart was stirred by a wave of worry.)

verb, noun

1. Ripple
   • dợn sóng
     to wave