Definition

1. Verb:
   • To murmur, to mutter, to mumble: To speak or utter words in a low, soft, and indistinct voice, often continuously or repetitively. This typically describes the quiet, sometimes monotonous, recitation of texts like prayers or poetry.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Bà cụ lầm dầm đọc kinh trong nhà thờ. (The old woman murmured prayers in the church.)
  • Anh ấy ngồi một mình lầm dầm câu thơ cũ. (He sat alone, muttering an old line of poetry.)
  • Đừng có lầm dầm một mình như thế, có chuyện gì vậy? (Don't just mumble to yourself like that, what's the matter?)

Advanced Usage

• "lầm dầm" vs. "lẩm bẩm": While both mean to mutter, "lầm dầm" often implies a softer, more continuous, or devotional murmur (e.g., praying, reciting). "Lẩm bẩm" can imply grumbling or complaining under one's breath with a slightly more audible or irritable tone.
  • Ông ấy lầm dầm cầu nguyện. (He murmured a prayer.)
  • Ông ấy lẩm bẩm phàn nàn về thời tiết. (He grumbled about the weather.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lâm dâm (verb): A variant spelling/pronunciation with the same meaning as "lầm dầm".
• Lầm rầm (verb): Very similar to "lầm dầm", meaning to murmur or mutter in a low voice.
• Thì thầm (verb): To whisper (a conversation between people, usually secretive or intimate).
• Ấp úng (verb): To stammer, to hesitate in speech (due to shyness or nervousness, not a continuous murmur).

Synonyms

• Thầm thì: To whisper.
• Rì rầm: To rustle, to murmur (often for natural sounds like leaves or water, but can be used for soft collective talking).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Lầm dầm như tụng kinh: (To murmur) like reciting prayers. An idiom describing someone speaking in a low, monotonous, and continuous manner.
  • Cô ấy nói lầm dầm như tụng kinh, chẳng ai nghe rõ. (She spoke, murmuring like reciting prayers, no one could hear clearly.)