Definition

1. Verb:
   • To mumble: To speak quietly and unclearly, often in a low, continuous voice, so that the words are difficult to understand. The speech is typically meant for oneself or is barely audible to others.
   • To mutter / To grumble: To speak in a low, indistinct tone, often expressing complaint, dissatisfaction, or irritation about something.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Ông cụ ngồi một mình lẩm bẩm. (The old man sat alone, mumbling.)
  • Cô ấy lẩm bẩm than phiền về thời tiết. (She muttered a complaint about the weather.)
  • Đừng lẩm bẩm nữa, hãy nói to lên! (Stop mumbling, speak up!)

Advanced Usage

• "lẩm bẩm chửi": to mutter curses/swear words.

  • Anh ta tức giận và bắt đầu lẩm bẩm chửi. (He was angry and started muttering curses.)

• "lẩm bẩm một mình": to mumble to oneself.

  • Bà ấy có thói quen lẩm bẩm một mình khi suy nghĩ. (She has a habit of mumbling to herself when thinking.)

Variants and Related Words

• Càu nhàu (v): to grumble, to complain in a slightly more audible and peevish manner than "lẩm bẩm".
• Thầm thì (v): to whisper, which is soft speech but usually more intentional and directed than mumbling.

Synonyms

• Mumble: To speak indistinctly.
• Mutter: To utter words in a low, often discontented tone.
• Grumble: To complain in a muttered, surly manner.

Related Idioms

• Lẩm bẩm như thầy bói: To mumble like a fortune-teller (implying the speech is continuous, monotonous, and incomprehensible).
  • Ông ấy giải thích dài dòng, lẩm bẩm như thầy bói. (He gave a long-winded explanation, mumbling like a fortune-teller.)

verb

1. to mumble