Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Wavy: Having a surface that is not smooth but has a series of slight, gentle curves or undulations.
   • Rippled: Marked by or consisting of small waves or undulations, often on the surface of water.

2. Verb (intransitive):

   • To ripple: To form or cause small waves or a series of slight undulations on a surface, typically water.
   • To appear faintly: To emerge or become visible as a slight, fleeting mark, emotion, or thought.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Mái tóc cô ấy hơi gợn. (Her hair is slightly wavy.)
  • Mặt hồ phẳng lặng, không một chút gợn. (The lake surface was calm, without a single ripple.)

• Verb:

  • Một cơn gió nhẹ làm mặt nước gợn lên. (A light breeze caused the water's surface to ripple.)
  • Nỗi buồn thoáng gợn trên khuôn mặt anh. (A hint of sadness flickered across his face.)

Advanced Usage

• "gợn sóng": to ripple; to create waves (literal and figurative).

  • Lời nói của anh ấy gợn sóng trong lòng tôi. (His words created ripples in my heart.)

• "không gợn chút nào": without a trace; completely smooth or clear (often figurative).

  • Tấm gương này trong suốt, không gợn chút nào. (This mirror is perfectly clear, without a single flaw.)

Variants and Related Words

• Gợn sóng (v): to make ripples; to cause waves.
• Gờn gợn (adj): slightly wavy or rippled (reduplicative form indicating a small degree).

Synonyms

• Wavy: undulating, curvy.
• Rippled: ruffled, corrugated.
• To ripple: to undulate, to ruffle.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Không một gợn mây: Literally "not a single wisp of cloud"; figuratively means completely trouble-free, smooth, or perfect.

  • Cuộc sống của họ trôi qua không một gợn mây. (Their life passed without a cloud in the sky.)

• Gợn lòng: To stir one's heart or emotions; to evoke a faint feeling.

  • Câu chuyện cũ gợn lòng thương nhớ. (The old story stirred up feelings of nostalgia.)

adj

1. wavy; ripple