Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Bright and lively (of eyes): Describes eyes that are clear, bright, and full of life, often reflecting alertness, intelligence, or innocence.
   • Sharp and quick-witted (of a person, implied through the eyes): While primarily describing the eyes, it can imply that the person possessing such eyes is perceptive and intelligent.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đôi mắt trẻ thơ thường rất nhanh nhánh. (Children's eyes are often very bright and lively.)
  • Cô ấy có đôi mắt nhanh nhánh, thông minh. (She has bright, intelligent eyes.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhanh nhánh" is a reduplicative word (từ láy) formed from the root "nhanh" (quick, fast). In this specific form, it loses the literal meaning of "quick" and instead describes a visual quality of brightness and alertness, almost exclusively for eyes. It conveys a sense of vitality and sharpness perceived through the gaze.

Variants and Related Words

• Nhanh (adj): Quick, fast.
  • Anh ấy chạy rất nhanh. (He runs very fast.)
• Nhanh nhẹn (adj): Nimble, agile (in movement or thinking).
  • Đứa bé rất nhanh nhẹn và hoạt bát. (The child is very nimble and lively.)

Synonyms

• Linh lợi (adj): Sharp, quick-witted (often for mind or eyes).
• Sáng (adj): Bright (can describe eyes, light, or intelligence).
• Tinh anh (adj): Bright and intelligent (of eyes, often literary).

Related Idioms

• Mắt nhanh nhánh is the standard and almost exclusive phrase. The word itself is idiomatic as a reduplicative.

1. xem nhánh (láy)