năm bước ra mười
Definition
Idiom: - To walk slowly and deliberately, taking one's time: This idiom describes the action of walking in a very slow, measured, and unhurried manner. It implies a pace so leisurely that a short distance (five steps) feels or appears as long as a much greater distance (ten steps). It conveys a sense of dragging one's feet, strolling without purpose, or moving with noticeable slowness compared to a normal pace.
Usage Examples
- Idiom:
- Sao cậu năm bước ra mười thế? Nhanh lên không chúng ta muộn mất. (Why are you walking so slowly? Hurry up or we'll be late.)
- Cụ già năm bước ra mười trên con đường làng. (The old man walked at a snail's pace on the village road.)
- Cô ấy cứ năm bước ra mười, vừa đi vừa ngắm cảnh. (She just took her sweet time walking, sightseeing as she went.)
Advanced Usage
- The idiom is often used to express mild criticism or impatience with someone's lack of speed. It paints a vivid picture of exaggerated slowness.
- It can be used in a neutral or even positive sense to describe a relaxed, contemplative stroll, though the context usually implies it is slower than expected or desired.
Variants and Related Words
- Lững thững (adv): to amble, to stroll slowly.
- Anh ta lững thững đi dạo trong công viên. (He ambled slowly through the park.)
- Thong thả (adv): leisurely, unhurriedly.
- Hãy thong thả tận hưởng buổi chiều. (Leisurely enjoy the afternoon.)
Synonyms
- To dawdle: to waste time; to be slow.
- To amble: to walk at a slow, relaxed pace.
- To drag one's feet: to act with deliberate slowness.
- To take one's sweet time: to do something without any hurry.
Related Idioms
- Chậm như rùa: as slow as a turtle.
- Làm nhanh lên, chậm như rùa ấy! (Work faster, you're as slow as a turtle!)
- Đi một bước, dừng ba bước: to take one step and stop for three; to progress extremely slowly with many pauses.
- Công việc cứ đi một bước, dừng ba bước mãi không xong. (The work just inched forward with constant delays and never got finished.)