Definition

1. Verb:
   • To repeat; to reiterate: The core meaning of "láy" is to say or do something again, often for emphasis or clarity. It involves the deliberate repetition of words, sounds, or actions.
   • To echo; to resound: In a poetic or descriptive sense, "láy" can describe a sound that is repeated or reverberates.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cô giáo láy lại câu hỏi cho cả lớp nghe rõ. (The teacher repeated the question so the whole class could hear clearly.)
  • Tiếng chuông láy vang trong không gian tĩnh lặng. (The bell's sound echoed in the quiet space.)
  • Đừng láy mãi một lỗi nhỏ của nó. (Don't keep reiterating its small mistake.)

Advanced Usage

• "Láy" in linguistics: In Vietnamese linguistics, "láy" refers to a specific word-formation process involving the repetition of a whole syllable or part of it to create a new word, often with a nuanced or intensified meaning. This is a grammatical term, not the verb in general use.
  • Từ "đo đỏ" (reddish) được cấu tạo theo phương thức láy. (The word "đo đỏ" (reddish) is formed by the reduplication method.)

Variants and Related Words

• Láy lại (v): to repeat back, to reiterate specifically.

  • Học sinh láy lại lời hứa của mình. (The student repeated his promise.)

• Láy âm (n): reduplication (linguistic term); echo, resonance.

  • Láy âm là một đặc điểm thú vị của tiếng Việt. (Reduplication is an interesting feature of Vietnamese.)

Synonyms

• Repeat: to say or do again.
• Reiterate: to say something again for emphasis.
• Echo: (of a sound) to be repeated.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Nói láy: This can mean to speak with repetition for effect, or colloquially, to speak in a roundabout or evasive manner.

  • Bà ấy hay nói láy cho chắc chắn. (She often repeats herself to be sure.)

• Láy đi láy lại: to repeat over and over again.

  • Câu chuyện ấy đã bị láy đi láy lại nhiều lần. (That story has been repeated over and over again.)

verb

1. to repeat; to reiterate