lập loè
Definition
Verb:
- To flicker: To shine with an unsteady, intermittent light that rapidly appears and disappears. This describes the primary action of a weak or distant light source.
- To glimmer: To emit a faint, wavering light, often suggesting something is barely visible or shining from a distance.
Adjective:
- Flickering: Describing a light that is unsteady and intermittent.
- Glimmering: Describing a faint, shimmering light.
Usage Examples
Verb:
- Ngọn nến lập loè trong gió. (The candle flickered in the wind.)
- Ánh đèn từ ngôi nhà xa lập loè. (The light from the distant house glimmered.)
Adjective:
- Chúng tôi nhìn thấy ánh lửa lập loè. (We saw the flickering firelight.)
- Ánh sáng lập loè của đom đóm. (The glimmering light of fireflies.)
Advanced Usage
- Used metaphorically to describe something that appears briefly or intermittently, like a faint memory or a fleeting hope.
- Ký ức về ngôi làng cũ chỉ còn lập loè trong tâm trí ông. (The memory of the old village only flickered in his mind.)
Variants and Related Words
- Lấp loá (adj/verb): To flash or sparkle intensely, often with a stronger, more brilliant intermittent light than "lập loè".
- Ánh sáng đèn neon lấp loá. (The neon lights flashed brilliantly.)
Synonyms
- Flicker: To burn or shine unsteadily.
- Glimmer: To shine faintly with a wavering light.
- Twinkle: To shine with a flickering light (often used for stars).
Related Idioms
- Lập loè như ma trơi: To flicker like a will-o'-the-wisp (ignis fatuus). This idiom describes a mysterious, elusive, and faint flickering light, often used metaphorically for something deceptive or unattainable.
- Lời hứa của hắn chỉ lập loè như ma trơi. (His promises only flickered like a will-o'-the-wisp.)