Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slow, sluggish, dilatory: Describes a state of moving, acting, or proceeding very slowly, often due to laziness, reluctance, or a lack of energy. It implies a drawn-out, unhurried, and sometimes irritating pace.
   • Lingering, dawdling: Can describe someone who is slow to leave or to complete an action, often by wasting time.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sao cậu lại lừ thừ thế? Chúng ta sắp trễ mất! (Why are you so slow? We're going to be late!)
  • Đứa bé lừ thừ mãi không chịu rời khỏi cửa hàng đồ chơi. (The child lingered/dawdled, refusing to leave the toy store.)
  • Anh ấy làm việc gì cũng lừ thừ khiến mọi người rất sốt ruột. (He does everything in a sluggish manner, which makes everyone very impatient.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "lừ thừ" is often used in a slightly negative or critical context to express impatience with someone's slow pace. It is more colloquial than formal.
• It can describe both physical slowness and slowness in decision-making or action.

Variants and Related Words

• Lờ đờ / Lừ đừ (Adjective): These are synonyms with very similar meanings—slow, sluggish, lethargic. "Lừ thừ" is considered a strengthened form (redoublement) of "lừ đừ".
  • Sau trận ốm, anh ấy người vẫn còn lờ đờ. (After the illness, he still feels sluggish.)

Synonyms

• Chậm chạp: Slow (general term for slowness).
• Ỳ ạch: Very slow and laborious, often with effort.
• Dây dưa: To procrastinate, to drag something out (often regarding tasks or matters).

Notes on Meaning

• "Lừ thừ" primarily conveys a sense of deliberate or inherent slowness that causes delay. It is not typically used for slowness due to carefulness (which might be "cẩn thận") or slowness due to external constraints. The core nuance is inactivity or reluctance within the subject causing the slow pace.

1. như lờ đờ