Definition

1. Verb:
   • To settle, to deposit (of particles in a liquid): Refers to solid particles gradually sinking to the bottom of a liquid, resulting in clearer liquid above.
   • To subside, to calm down, to abate: Describes a state of noise, emotion, activity, or intensity gradually diminishing or becoming quiet.
   • To listen attentively: To pay close and focused attention to what is being heard. (This meaning is often used in compound forms like "lắng nghe").

Usage Examples

• Verb (to settle):

  • Đợi cho bột lắng xuống rồi hãy gạn nước. (Wait for the powder to settle, then decant the water.)
  • Cặn cà phê lắng dưới đáy tách. (The coffee grounds settled at the bottom of the cup.)

• Verb (to subside):

  • Cơn bão đã lắng. (The storm has subsided.)
  • Sau cuộc tranh cãi, không khí trong phòng dần lắng xuống. (After the argument, the atmosphere in the room gradually calmed down.)

• Verb (to listen attentively):

  • Em hãy lắng nghe cô giáo giảng bài. (Please listen attentively to the teacher's lesson.)

Advanced Usage

• "lắng đọng": to settle and accumulate (often used for sediments or abstract things like emotions, memories).
  • Phù sa lắng đọng tạo nên đồng bằng. (Alluvial deposits settle to form deltas.)
  • Những kỷ niệm đẹp lắng đọng trong tim. (Beautiful memories are deeply embedded in the heart.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lắng nghe (v): to listen attentively, to heed.

  • Lãnh đạo phải biết lắng nghe ý kiến của nhân dân. (Leaders must know how to listen to the people's opinions.)

• Lắng tai (v): to prick up one's ears, to listen carefully.

  • Mọi người lắng tai nghe thông báo quan trọng. (Everyone pricked up their ears to listen to the important announcement.)

• Lắng xuống (phrasal verb): to settle down; to subside.

  • Bụi đường sẽ lắng xuống sau trận mưa. (The road dust will settle after the rain.)

Synonyms

• To settle: to sink (sediment).
• To subside: to diminish, to abate, to die down (storm, noise, feeling).
• To listen: to pay attention, to heed.

Related Idioms

• Lòng đã lắng: one's heart/mind has become calm or settled.

  • Suy nghĩ nhiều ngày, giờ lòng tôi đã lắng. (After thinking for many days, my mind is now at peace.)

• Nước lắng mới biết sông sâu: (lit. "Only when the water settles can one see the river's depth") – Meaning true character or depth is revealed when things calm down.

  • Đừng vội đánh giá, nước lắng mới biết sông sâu mà. (Don't judge hastily; only when things settle do you see the true depth.)

verb

1. (of liquid) to deposit
   • lắng cặn
     to deposit sediment