lăm lăm

Một cậu bé lăm lăm cây gậy trên tay.

Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Eagerly, intently, with a fixed focus: Describes an action done with keen anticipation or unwavering concentration, often with a sense of readiness or determination.
   • Persistently, insistently: Indicates a continuous, unrelenting manner, often with a hint of impatience or strong desire.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Nó lăm lăm nhìn vào chiếc bánh. (He stared intently at the cake.)
  • Cậu bé lăm lăm đòi mua đồ chơi mới. (The boy persistently insisted on buying a new toy.)
  • Tên cướp lăm lăm cầm vũ khí. (The robber held the weapon at the ready.)

Advanced Usage

• "lăm lăm chực chờ": eagerly lying in wait, poised and ready.
  • Bọn trẻ lăm lăm chực chờ tiếng chuông ra chơi. (The children were eagerly waiting for the recess bell.)
• "lăm lăm trong tay": holding something firmly and purposefully in hand.
  • Anh ấy lăm lăm tờ giấy chứng nhận trong tay. (He held the certificate firmly in his hand.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lăm (verb, colloquial): To intend, to plan to do something. (Note: This is a separate, though etymologically related, word.)
  • Nó lăm le đánh nhau. (He looked like he was about to start a fight.)

Synonyms

• Chăm chăm: fixedly, staringly.
• Hăm hở: eagerly, enthusiastically.
• Nhăm nhe: to have an intention (often negative) to do something.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Related Idioms

• Lăm lăm như rồng lấy nước: (Literally: eagerly like a dragon fetching water) An idiom describing someone acting with great eagerness and force.
  • Nó xông vào công việc lăm lăm như rồng lấy nước. (He dove into the work with immense eagerness.)