Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly wavy, having small ripples or undulations: Describes a surface, especially of water or fabric, that is not completely smooth but has gentle, small waves or wrinkles.
   • Slightly rough or textured: Can describe a surface that is not perfectly flat or smooth, with a subtle, uneven texture.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Mặt hồ gờn gợn vì có gió nhẹ. (The lake surface is slightly wavy because of the light wind.)
  • Tấm vải này có bề mặt gờn gợn, không được phẳng lì. (This fabric has a slightly textured surface, not perfectly smooth.)
  • Sau cơn mưa, mặt đường gờn gợn những vũng nước nhỏ. (After the rain, the road surface was slightly rippled with small puddles.)

Advanced Usage

• "gờn gợn sóng": having small, gentle waves.

  • Biển lặng, chỉ gờn gợn sóng. (The sea was calm, only with small, gentle waves.)

• Used to describe subtle emotional disturbances or thoughts.

  • Lòng anh gờn gợn một nỗi buồn mơ hồ. (His heart was faintly rippled with a vague sadness.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gợn (verb/noun): to ripple; a ripple. This is the root word. "Gờn gợn" is its reduplicative form (láy), which softens the meaning to "slightly" or "a little bit".

  • Một cơn gió làm mặt nước gợn lên. (A gust of wind made the water surface ripple.)

• Lăn tăn (adjective): similar meaning, describing very small ripples or bumps.

  • Mặt nước lăn tăn gợn sóng. (The water surface had tiny ripples.)

Synonyms

• Hơi gợn: slightly rippled.
• Lăn tăn: with tiny ripples/texture.
• Không bằng phẳng: not flat/even.

Antonyms

• Phẳng lì: perfectly flat, smooth.
• Bằng phẳng: flat, even.
• Lặng sóng: calm (water), without waves.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Lòng dạ gờn gợn: A poetic way to describe a heart or mind that is slightly troubled, unsettled, or stirred by emotions.
  • Nghe tin ấy, lòng dạ cô gờn gợn lo âu. (Hearing that news, her heart was faintly stirred with worry.)

1. xem gợn (láy)