Definition

1. Onomatopoeia:

   • Clang, ding, ring: A word that imitates the sharp, ringing sound made by metal when struck, such as a bell, a piece of metal, or a bicycle bell.

2. Reduplicated Form (keng keng):

   • Clang clang, ding ding, ring ring: The reduplicated form indicates a continuous or repeated clanging or ringing sound.

Usage Examples

• Onomatopoeia:

  • Nghe tiếng chuông keng ngoài cửa. (Hear the clang of the bell outside the gate.)
  • Tiếng búa đập vào sắt nghe "keng" một tiếng. (The hammer hitting the iron made a clang.)

• Reduplicated Form:

  • Tiếng chuông xe đạp keng keng. (The bicycle bell went "clang, clang".)
  • Chiếc lắc tay bằng bạc kêu keng keng. (The silver bracelet made a jingling sound.)

Advanced Usage

• "keng" as a verb-like descriptor: While primarily an onomatopoeia, "keng" can function descriptively in a sentence to indicate the action of making such a sound.
  • Chuông cửa keng lên một hồi dài. (The doorbell rang out with a long chime.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kêu keng: To make a clanging sound.
  • Sợi dây chuyền vàng rơi xuống sàn kêu keng. (The gold chain fell to the floor with a clink.)

Synonyms

• Clang: A loud, resonant metallic sound.
• Ding: A sharp, ringing sound, often lighter than a clang.
• Ring: A clear, resonant sound like that of a bell.
• Jingle: A light, ringing sound, often from small metal objects.

Related Idioms and Expressions

• Tiếng keng: This phrase literally means "the clang sound" and is used to refer to the sound itself.
  • Chỉ còn văng vẳng tiếng keng của chiếc chuông gió. (Only the faint clanging of the wind chime remained.)

1. Clang
   • Nghe tiếng chuông keng ngòai cửa
     A clang of bell was heard at the gate
2. keng keng (láy, ý liên tiếp)
   • Tiếng chuông xe đạp keng keng
     The bicycle bell sounded "clang, clang"