lạnh lạnh
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slightly cold, coolish, chilly: Describes a temperature or sensation that is cold, but not intensely or unpleasantly so. It implies a mild, noticeable coolness.
- Figuratively, cold or distant in manner: Describes an attitude or atmosphere that is somewhat unfriendly, aloof, or lacking warmth.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Temperature):
- Sáng sớm, thời tiết lạnh lạnh rất dễ chịu. (Early morning, the slightly cold weather is very pleasant.)
- Cốc nước lạnh lạnh. (A glass of coolish water.)
- Adjective (Manner/Atmosphere):
- Cô ấy đón tiếp khách với thái độ lạnh lạnh. (She received the guests with a somewhat cold attitude.)
- Bầu không khí trong phòng lạnh lạnh và ngột ngạt. (The atmosphere in the room was chilly and stifling.)
Advanced Usage
- "lạnh lạnh" as a Reduplicative: This is a common linguistic pattern in Vietnamese where a word (like "lạnh" - cold) is partially repeated to create a new adjective that softens or diminishes the original meaning. "Lạnh lạnh" is less intense than "lạnh" (cold).
Variants and Related Words
- Lạnh (adj): Cold. The root word.
- Trời lạnh. (The weather is cold.)
- Lạnh giá (adj): Icy cold, freezing (more intense).
- Mùa đông lạnh giá. (A freezing winter.)
- Mát lạnh (adj): Cool and refreshing (often pleasant).
- Làn gió mát lạnh. (A cool, refreshing breeze.)
Synonyms
- Chilly: Pleasantly or slightly cold.
- Cool: Of or at a fairly low temperature.
- Aloof: Not friendly or forthcoming; distant.
Related Idioms
- Lạnh lùng: Cold-hearted, indifferent, unfeeling (stronger than "lạnh lạnh" in emotional context).
- Ánh mắt lạnh lùng. (A cold, indifferent gaze.)