lìm lịm

Một quả mận chín lìm lịm trên cành cây.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly closed or half-closed (eyes): Describes eyes that are nearly shut, often due to drowsiness, weakness, or an attempt to hide one's gaze or expression.
   • Subdued; quieted down: Describes a state of becoming silent, still, or less active, often after a period of noise or commotion.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đứa bé ngủ, mắt lìm lịm. (The child slept, eyes slightly closed.)
  • Sau khi bị mắng, nó ngồi lìm lịm trong góc. (After being scolded, it sat quietly in the corner.)
  • Cơn đau khiến mắt ông ấy nhắm lìm lịm. (The pain made his eyes close to a squint.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often conveys a nuance of involuntary or passive closure/quieting, suggesting a lack of energy or a subdued state rather than intentional action.

Variants and Related Words

• Lịm (adj/verb): To faint; to become silent or still. "Lìm lịm" is an intensive reduplicative form of "lịm," emphasizing a slight or gradual state.
• Lịm đi (verb phrase): To fall silent; to fade away (e.g., sound, conversation).

Synonyms

• Drowsy: (for eyes) heavy-lidded.
• Subdued: quietened, hushed.
• Half-closed: partially shut.

Related Idioms

• Làm lìm lịm: To cause someone or something to become quiet or subdued.
  • Câu nói của cô ấy làm cả phòng lìm lịm. (Her statement made the whole room fall silent.)