lử đử lừ đừ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slow and sluggish: Describes a state of moving, acting, or thinking with very little energy, speed, or alertness. It implies a noticeable and often tedious lack of pace or enthusiasm.
- Lethargic and listless: Conveys a sense of physical or mental drowsiness, inertia, or apathy, as if one is half-asleep or barely functioning.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Sau bữa trưa, nó cảm thấy người lử đử lừ đừ. (After lunch, he felt slow and sluggish.)
- Chiếc máy cũ chạy lử đử lừ đừ. (The old machine runs lethargically and slowly.)
- Đừng có lử đử lừ đừ, chúng ta sắp trễ rồi! (Don't be so sluggish, we're going to be late!)
Advanced Usage
- The term "lử đử lừ đừ" is a reduplicative compound, formed from the near-synonyms and . This structure intensifies the meaning, emphasizing a profound, lingering state of slowness or dullness. It is more expressive than using either word alone.
Variants and Related Words
Lừ đừ (adj): Slow, sluggish. A simpler, more common form.
- Anh ấy bước đi lừ đừ. (He walked slowly.)
Lờ đờ (adj): Listless, languid; often describing tired eyes or a lack of spirit.
- Nhìn mắt nó lờ đờ vì buồn ngủ. (Look at his listless eyes from sleepiness.)
Synonyms
- Sluggish: Slow-moving or inactive.
- Lethargic: Affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic.
- Listless: Lacking energy or enthusiasm.
- Torpid: Mentally or physically inactive.
Related Idioms
- "Lử đử lừ đừ như rùa bò": As slow and sluggish as a turtle crawling. This idiom vividly compares the extreme slowness to a turtle's pace.
- Làm việc kiểu lử đử lừ đừ như rùa bò thì đến bao giờ mới xong? (Working as slow as a turtle, when will it ever be finished?)