lồng bồng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Bulky and light / Puffed up and insubstantial: Describes an object that appears large or voluminous due to being loosely packed, puffed up, or filled with air, but is actually very light in weight. It emphasizes a lack of density and solidity.
- Inconsistent and light: Describes something lacking firmness, substance, or coherence, often implying a flimsy or airy quality.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Gói hàng được gói lồng bồng, trông to nhưng nhẹ tênh. (The package was wrapped in a bulky and light manner, looking large but feather-light.)
- Chiếc áo bông cũ đã bị xẹp, không còn lồng bồng như mới. (The old padded jacket had flattened and was no longer puffed up and light like when it was new.)
- Cảm giác lồng bồng sau cơn sốt. (A light and insubstantial feeling after the fever.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used to describe the physical state of soft materials (like cotton, wool, packaging) that have a high volume but low mass. It can sometimes carry a slightly negative connotation of being poorly packed or lacking substance.
Variants and Related Words
- Bồng bềnh (adj): Floating, buoyant; often used for things floating on water or moving lightly in the air.
- Cánh hoa bồng bềnh trên mặt nước. (The flower petals floated buoyantly on the water's surface.)
Synonyms
- Bulky but light: Voluminous yet lightweight.
- Puffed up: Inflated, fluffy.
- Flimsy: Lacking solidity or strength.
Related Idioms
- While "lồng bồng" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, its sense contributes to descriptive phrases about physical lightness and lack of substance.