Definition

Verb: * To flicker; to appear and disappear intermittently; to be glimpsed; to be barely visible: Describes the action of something appearing briefly, then hiding or disappearing, often repeatedly, creating an effect of being half-seen or partially obscured. It implies a quick, shy, or elusive presence.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Có bóng người lấp ló sau mành. (There is a figure flickering / glimpsed behind the curtain.)
  • Mặt trăng lấp ló sau những đám mây. (The moon peeked in and out from behind the clouds.)
  • Ánh đèn lấp ló trong đêm tối. (The light flickered in the dark night.)

Advanced Usage

• "lấp ló... lấp ló...": This reduplicative structure emphasizes the repetitive, intermittent nature of the action.
  • Bóng cây lấp ló lấp ló qua khung cửa sổ. (The tree's shadow kept flickering in and out of view through the window frame.)
• Used metaphorically to describe something that is vaguely present or suggested, not fully clear or committed.
  • Một nụ cười lấp ló trên môi cô ấy. (A smile hovered / played faintly on her lips.)
  • Ý định ấy chỉ mới lấp ló trong đầu anh ta. (That intention is only just dawning / glimmering in his mind.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ló (verb): To appear, to stick out, to emerge. (e.g., - The sun appears.)
• Ẩn hiện (verb): To appear and disappear, to loom. This is a close synonym, often used in more literary contexts.
• Thấp thoáng (verb): To be faintly visible, to be glimpsed. Similar to but can imply being seen from a distance or through obstacles.

Synonyms

• Peek in and out: To look quickly and shyly, appearing and disappearing.
• Glimmer: To shine faintly or intermittently (often for light).
• Flicker: To burn or shine unsteadily, to appear briefly and weakly.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Lấp ló đầu xóm / Lấp ló bờ tre: A traditional folk image describing someone (often a young woman) shyly peeking from behind the village gate or bamboo hedges. It evokes a sense of rustic, timid beauty.
  • Cô gái quê lấp ló đầu xóm. (The country girl was glimpsed at the village entrance.)

verb

1. to flicker