Definition

1. Verb:

   • To swing gently; to sway lightly: Describes a soft, often rhythmic, back-and-forth or side-to-side motion, typically of something hanging or loosely attached.
   • To dangle; to hang loosely and swing: Refers to an object suspended in a way that allows it to move freely with a slight, tinkling, or jingling motion.

2. Adjective:

   • Tinkling; jingling lightly: Describes a light, clear, metallic sound produced by small objects gently knocking together, often associated with the motion of swinging.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Chiếc vòng tay lúng liếng trên cổ tay cô ấy. (The bracelet swung gently on her wrist.)
  • Những giọt sương lúng liếng trên đầu ngọn cỏ. (The dewdrops dangled from the tips of the grass.)

• Adjective:

  • Tiếng chuông gió lúng liếng trước hiên nhà. (The tinkling sound of the wind chime in front of the house.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a poetic or descriptive nuance, evoking imagery of delicate, graceful, or charming movement or sound. It is frequently used in literary contexts.

Variants and Related Words

• Leng keng (adj/onomatopoeia): A more common word for a jingling or clanging sound, typically louder or more metallic than "lúng liếng."
  • Tiền xu kêu leng keng trong túi. (The coins jingled in the pocket.)

Synonyms

• Sway: to move slowly and rhythmically.
• Dangle: to hang or swing loosely.
• Tinkle: to make a light, ringing sound.

Related Idioms

• While "lúng liếng" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, its sense is captured in descriptive phrases about light, charming motion or sound.