giần giật

Definition

Adjective (Tính từ):
- Slightly trembling, quivering: Describes a state of slight, rapid, and often involuntary trembling or shaking, typically due to cold, fear, or strong emotion. It is a reduplicative word (từ láy) that emphasizes the repetitive, shivering nature of the movement.

Usage Examples

Adjective:
- Trời lạnh khiến anh ấy run giần giật. (The cold weather made him quiver.)
- Cô bé sợ hãi, toàn thân giần giật. (The little girl was terrified, her whole body quivering.)
- Nhìn cảnh tượng đó, tay chân tôi giần giật. (Seeing that scene, my limbs trembled.)

Advanced Usage

"run giần giật": to shiver/quiver intensely.
- This is a very common collocation where "giần giật" intensifies the verb "run" (to shiver).
- Cơn sốt khiến đứa trẻ run giần giật. (The fever caused the child to shiver violently.)

Variants and Related Words

Giật (động từ): To jerk, to twitch, to convulse. This is the root word. "Giần giật" is a softer, more continuous version of "giật".
- Anh ta giật mình vì tiếng động lớn. (He was startled by the loud noise.)
Run (động từ): To shiver, to tremble. Often paired with "giần giật".
Co giật (động từ/tính từ): To convulse, convulsive. Indicates stronger, more violent muscular contractions than "giần giật".
- Bệnh nhân lên cơn co giật. (The patient had a convulsive seizure.)

Synonyms

Run bần bật: To shiver uncontrollably (similar intensity, also a reduplicative word).
Rung rinh: To tremble, to quiver (often used for objects or from weakness, less intense than "giần giật").
Lập cập: To chatter (teeth), to tremble (often from cold or fear).

Notes on Meaning

Primary Meaning: The core meaning is a physical tremor that is slight, rapid, and repetitive. It is almost always used to describe a person's or animal's body or body part.
Figurative Use: It is rarely used in a purely figurative sense. Its use is strongly tied to physical sensation.
Emotional Cause: While often caused by cold ("rét"), it can also be caused by fear, nervousness, excitement, or illness.