lanh

Một con thỏ chạy rất lanh qua bãi cỏ.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Quick, fast: Describes a high speed of movement or action.
   • Agile, nimble: Describes the ability to move quickly and easily.
   • Prompt, swift: Describes a short reaction time or the ability to act without delay.

2. Adverb:

   • Quickly, fast: Modifies a verb to indicate the action is performed with speed.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Anh ấy là một người chạy rất lanh. (He is a very fast runner.)
  • Đứa trẻ có đôi tay lanh lẹ. (The child has nimble hands.)
  • Cô ấy có phản ứng lanh trí. (She has a prompt and clever reaction.)

• Adverb:

  • Hãy làm bài tập lanh lên! (Do the homework quickly!)
  • Chiếc xe chạy lanh như tên bắn. (The car runs as fast as an arrow.)

Advanced Usage

• "lanh chanh": (often used pejoratively) Describes someone who is overly quick to speak or act, often without being asked; meddlesome, officious.

  • Đừng có lanh chanh vào việc của người khác. (Don't be meddlesome in other people's business.)

• "lanh lợi": Describes someone who is quick-witted, sharp, and intelligent.

  • Cô bé rất lanh lợi và học rất nhanh. (The little girl is very sharp and learns very quickly.)

• "mau lanh": An emphatic form meaning very quick or prompt.

  • Anh ta trả lời một cách mau lanh. (He answered in a very prompt manner.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhanh: The more common and standard synonym for "fast" or "quick." "Lanh" is often considered a more literary or regional variant.
• Lẹ: (Southern Vietnamese) Fast, quick.
• Lanh lẹ: A reduplicative form emphasizing agility and speed.
• Chóng: Quick (often regarding time, e.g., chóng mặt - dizzy).
• Thần tốc: At lightning speed, extremely fast (more intense).

Synonyms

• Nhanh: Fast, quick.
• Mau: Quick, speedy (often used with verbs like "mau lên!" - hurry up!).
• Lẹ: Fast, quick (Southern dialect).
• Chạy nhanh: To run fast (verb phrase).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: "Lanh" is primarily an adjective/adverb. Phrases are typically formed with other words. - Chạy lanh: To run quickly (less common than "chạy nhanh"). - Nói lanh: To speak quickly.

Related Idioms

• Lanh như cắt: As sharp/quick as a knife; describes someone extremely quick-witted or perceptive.
  • Cậu bé ấy lanh như cắt, chuyện gì cũng biết. (That boy is sharp as a tack, he knows everything.)
• Nhanh như chớp / Lanh như chớp: As fast as lightning.
  • Phản xạ của vận động viên nhanh như chớp. (The athlete's reflexes were as fast as lightning.)
• Mắt lanh: Having sharp, observant eyes.
  • Người thợ săn có đôi mắt lanh. (The hunter has sharp eyes.)