Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Very fast, in a flash, in a jiffy: Describes an action that happens extremely quickly, almost instantly, or with great speed and agility. It emphasizes the rapidity and often the continuous or repetitive nature of the action.
   • Blinking rapidly, twinkling: Describes something that flickers or flashes rapidly, like a light or eyes.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy làm xong công việc nhoay nhoáy. (He finished the work in a flash.)
  • Đèn nhấp nháy nhoay nhoáy trên cây thông. (The lights blinked rapidly on the Christmas tree.)
  • Cô bé chớp mắt nhoay nhoáy vì ngạc nhiên. (The little girl blinked her eyes rapidly in surprise.)

Advanced Usage

• "Làm nhoay nhoáy": To do something very quickly and skillfully.
  • Thợ sửa ống nước đến và xử lý sự cố nhoay nhoáy. (The plumber came and fixed the problem in a jiffy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhoáy (adj, v): The root word. As an adjective, it means quick, fast. As a verb, it can mean to wink or to do something very quickly.
  • Anh ta nhoáy mắt một cái. (He winked quickly.)
• Nhoáng (adj): Very fast, fleeting (often for a single, brief moment).
  • Chỉ một cái nhoáng, anh ấy đã biến mất. (In just a flash, he disappeared.)

Synonyms

• Nhanh như chớp: As fast as lightning.
• Thoắt cái: In an instant.
• Chớp nhoáng: Very rapid, lightning-fast (often for military or decisive actions).

Notes on Usage

• "Nhoay nhoáy" is a láy word (a type of Vietnamese reduplication) based on the root "nhoáy". Láy words often intensify the meaning or add a descriptive quality. Here, it intensifies the meaning of speed and repetition.
• It is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese and informal contexts to vividly describe speed.
• It often carries a slightly playful or admiring tone when referring to someone's quick action.

1. xem nhoáy (láy)