lần lần
Definition
Adverb: - Gradually, little by little: Indicates a slow, progressive change or action that happens over a period of time. It emphasizes a gentle, unhurried pace.
Usage
- lần lần is used to describe how an action occurs or a state changes slowly and steadily.
- It often conveys a sense of natural, inevitable progression.
- Common sentence position: It can be placed before or after the verb it modifies.
Usage Examples
- Adverb:
- Cô ấy lần lần hiểu ra vấn đề. (She gradually understood the problem.)
- Nỗi buồn lần lần tan biến. (The sadness faded away little by little.)
- Chúng tôi đi lần lần lên đỉnh núi. (We walked slowly and steadily up to the mountain peak.)
Advanced Usage
- "lần lần rồi sẽ...": Gradually, (something) will eventually... (Used to express that a result will come with time and patience).
- Cứ kiên nhẫn, lần lần rồi sẽ thành công. (Just be patient, gradually you will succeed.)
Variants and Related Words
- Dần dần: A very close synonym, also meaning "gradually" or "step by step." It is often interchangeable with lần lần.
- Từ từ: Means "slowly" or "gently," often used for physical speed or caution. While similar, từ từ focuses more on slowness of action, whereas lần lần emphasizes progressive change over time.
- Lần: As a verb, means "to try" or "to attempt." As a classifier, it means "time" or "occasion" (e.g., - one time). The reduplicated form lần lần derives its meaning from the idea of things happening one step/occasion at a time.
Synonyms
- Từng bước một: Step by step.
- Chậm rãi: Leisurely, unhurriedly.
Related Idioms
- Lần mò: To grope around, to feel one's way (often in the dark or figuratively when searching for information). This is a separate compound verb and not a direct variant of lần lần.
- Anh ấy lần mò trong bóng tối để tìm công tắc đèn. (He groped in the darkness to find the light switch.)