lật bật
Definition
- Adjective/Adverb:
- Shivering uncontrollably: Describes a state of trembling or shaking intensely and repeatedly, typically due to extreme cold, fear, or illness.
- Flickering unsteadily: Can describe a small, weak light that is fluttering or blinking intermittently, as if about to go out.
Usage Examples
- Adjective/Adverb:
- Đứa bé sốt cao, nằm lật bật trên giường. (The child had a high fever and lay shivering uncontrollably on the bed.)
- Trời đông giá rét, tôi run lật bật. (The winter was freezing, and I was shivering violently.)
- Ngọn nến lật bật trong gió trước khi tắt hẳn. (The candle flickered unsteadily in the wind before going out completely.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in a reduplicative form for emphasis, vividly depicting a continuous, rapid, and somewhat weak or unstable trembling motion.
- Can imply a sense of vulnerability or lack of control over the shaking.
Variants and Related Words
- Run rẩy (v/adj): to tremble, to shiver (often from cold or fear). This is a close synonym but may imply a slightly less intense or rapid shake than "lật bật."
- Cô ấy run rẩy vì sợ hãi. (She trembled with fear.)
Synonyms
- Shiver violently: To shake intensely from cold or fever.
- Tremble uncontrollably: To shake in a way one cannot stop.
- Flicker: To burn or shine unsteadily (for light).
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Run lật bật: A common collocation emphasizing the state of shivering.
- Nó ngồi co ro trong chăn, run lật bật. (It huddled under the blanket, shivering uncontrollably.)