Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Limp, listless, languid: Describes a physical state of extreme tiredness, weakness, or lack of energy, often resulting in slow, unsteady, or drooping movement. It conveys a sense of being worn out and moving with little strength or vitality.

2. Adverb:

   • Listlessly, languidly: Describes the manner of moving or acting in a weak, exhausted, and unhurried way.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Sau trận ốm, cô ấy trông thật lả lướt. (After the illness, she looked very limp and listless.)
  • Những cành hoa héo rũ xuống một cách lả lướt. (The wilted flower branches drooped down in a languid manner.)

• Adverb:

  • Người bệnh bước đi lả lướt trên hành lang. (The patient walked listlessly down the corridor.)
  • Cô ấy ngồi lả lướt trên ghế, không còn chút sức lực. (She sat languidly on the chair, with no energy left.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "lả lướt" is often used in literary or descriptive contexts to paint a vivid picture of physical exhaustion or delicate, weary grace. It can sometimes describe not just pure exhaustion but a certain frail, delicate, and slow-moving beauty associated with weakness.
  • Vũ công múa những động tác lả lướt như cành liễu. (The dancer performed movements as languid as willow branches.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lả (adj): Weak, exhausted, on the verge of collapse. Often used in compounds like "mệt lả" (dead tired).
• Lướt (v): To glide, to skim. In "lả lướt", it combines with "lả" to evoke the image of moving weakly as if gliding without strength.

Synonyms

• Listless: Lacking energy or enthusiasm.
• Languid: Displaying a disinclination for physical exertion; slow and relaxed.
• Limp: Lacking internal strength or structure; drooping.
• Feeble: Weak, lacking strength.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• While "lả lướt" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is commonly used in the phrase "đi lả lướt" (to walk listlessly), which functions as a standard descriptive collocation.
  • Sau cuộc hành quân dài, các chiến sĩ đi lả lướt về doanh trại. (After the long march, the soldiers walked listlessly back to the barracks.)

1. Limp, listless
   • Đi lả lướt
     To walk listlessly