lấp la lấp loáng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Glittering, shimmering, glinting: Describes a visual effect where light reflects intermittently and unsteadily from a surface, creating a flickering, sparkling appearance. It often implies a gentle, wavering, or elusive quality of light, not a steady, strong beam.
- Glimmering, twinkling: Suggests small, faint, and quick flashes of light, like those from distant water, sequins, or stars.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Ánh đèn từ những con thuyền lấp la lấp loáng trên mặt sông. (The lights from the boats glimmered on the river's surface.)
- Cô ấy mặc chiếc váy có những hạt cườm lấp la lấp loáng. (She wore a dress with beads that shimmered.)
- Chỉ thấy bóng người lấp la lấp loáng trong sương mù. (Only the glimmering shadows of people could be seen in the fog.)
Advanced Usage
- This word is a reduplicative form, created from the base "lấp loáng." The pattern "lấp la lấp loáng" intensifies the descriptive, evocative quality, making it more poetic and vivid. It is primarily used in literary, descriptive contexts rather than in technical or formal writing.
Variants and Related Words
Lấp loáng (adj): The root form, meaning glittering, shining intermittently.
- Mặt hồ lấp loáng dưới ánh trăng. (The lake surface glittered under the moonlight.)
Lấp lánh (adj): Sparkling, twinkling. Often used interchangeably but can imply a brighter, more distinct sparkle (e.g., stars, diamonds).
- Những ngôi sao lấp lánh trên bầu trời. (Stars twinkled in the sky.)
Synonyms
- Glittering: Shining with a bright, shimmering, reflected light.
- Shimmering: Shining with a soft, wavering light.
- Glimmering: Shining faintly or intermittently.
- Twinkling: Shining with a flickering light.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- While "lấp la lấp loáng" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is commonly used in poetic phrases to describe elusive, beautiful, or mysterious sights.
- Lấp la lấp loáng bóng ai: (The glimmering shadow of someone) – a poetic line often evoking a faint, elusive, or romantic image.