mau lẹ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Quick; swift; prompt: Describes an action or movement performed with speed and without delay.
- Nimble; agile: Describes a person or their actions as being light and fast in movement.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô ấy có những cử chỉ rất mau lẹ. (Her gestures are very quick.)
- Chúng tôi cần một sự phản hồi mau lẹ. (We need a prompt response.)
- Đứa trẻ chạy một cách mau lẹ ra sân. (The child ran swiftly out to the yard.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "mau lẹ" often implies not just speed, but also a sense of efficiency and readiness. It is commonly used to commend someone's alertness or the timely completion of a task.
Variants and Related Words
- Mau (adj): Fast, quick, rapid. Often used interchangeably with "nhanh" but can imply a shorter duration.
- Làm mau lên! (Do it quickly!)
- Lẹ (adj): Quick, swift. A synonym for "nhanh," frequently used in Southern Vietnamese.
- Anh ấy đi lẹ quá. (He walks too fast.)
- Nhanh nhẹn (adj): Agile, nimble, quick-witted. Emphasizes both physical speed and mental alertness.
- Cô bé rất nhanh nhẹn và hoạt bát. (The little girl is very agile and lively.)
Synonyms
- Quick: Taking little time.
- Swift: Moving or capable of moving at great speed.
- Prompt: Done without delay; immediate.
- Nimble: Quick and light in movement or action; agile.
Related Idioms
- Mau tay lẹ mắt: Quick hands and sharp eyes. Describes someone who is very deft and observant.
- Người thợ thủ công cần phải mau tay lẹ mắt. (A craftsman needs to have quick hands and sharp eyes.)
- Nói mau lẹ: To speak rapidly.
- Cô ấy nói mau lẹ đến nỗi tôi không thể theo kịp. (She spoke so rapidly that I couldn't keep up.)