lòng thòng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Dangling loosely and untidily: Describes something hanging down in a long, slack, and disorderly manner, often implying excess length and a lack of neatness.
- Prolonged and tedious: Used figuratively to describe speech, writing, or a process that is unnecessarily long-winded, drawn-out, and inefficient.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Sợi dây điện lòng thòng xuống từ trần nhà. (The electrical cord dangled loosely down from the ceiling.)
- Cô ấy mặc chiếc váy lòng thòng. (She wore a dress that hung down long and sloppily.)
- Bài phát biểu của ông ấy lòng thòng và chán ngắt. (His speech was long-winded and boring.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used in a disapproving or critical tone to highlight untidiness, inefficiency, or a lack of conciseness.
- It can function as a predicate adjective or be placed before a noun as an attributive adjective.
Variants and Related Words
- Thòng lọng (n): A lasso or noose.
- Tên cướp dùng một sợi thòng lọng. (The robber used a lasso.)
Synonyms
- Dangling: Hanging or swinging loosely.
- Sloppy: Untidy and careless in appearance.
- Long-winded: Using too many words; tedious.
- Prolix: (of speech or writing) Using or containing too many words; tediously lengthy.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Lòng thòng lòng thẹo: An intensified, reduplicative form emphasizing extreme length, untidiness, or tediousness.
- Công việc giấy tờ lòng thòng lòng thẹo cả tháng. (The paperwork dragged on tediously for a whole month.)