Definition

Onomatopoeia: - The sound of a gong or a small, high-pitched cymbal: "phèng phèng" is an onomatopoeic word that imitates the clear, resonant, and often metallic ringing sound produced by instruments like a gong or a small cymbal (thanh la).

Usage Examples

• Onomatopoeia:
  • Từ xa vọng lại tiếng phèng phèng của chiếc thanh la. (From afar, the phèng phèng sound of the small cymbal echoed.)
  • Người bán hàng rong dùng cái lệnh kêu phèng phèng để thu hút khách. (The street vendor used a bell that went phèng phèng to attract customers.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe a sharp, ringing metallic sound: While primarily for gongs or cymbals, it can sometimes be used informally to describe similar sharp, high-pitched metallic noises.
  • Cái nắp nồi rơi xuống sàn kêu phèng phèng. (The pot lid fell on the floor with a phèng phèng clang.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phèng (onomatopoeia): A shorter, sharper variant of the sound.
  • Tiếng phèng của chiếc còi. (The phèng of the whistle.)
• Thanh la (noun): A small, handheld cymbal, the instrument most associated with the "phèng phèng" sound.
• Cồng chiêng (noun): Gongs, which can produce deeper but related resonant sounds.

Synonyms

• Leng keng (onomatopoeia): Another onomatopoeic word for a light, jingling, or clinking metallic sound, like coins or small bells. It is similar but often implies a lighter, more jingling quality than the clearer ring of "phèng phèng".
• Kêu vang (verb phrase): To resound or ring out.

Related Idioms

• While there are no direct idioms using "phèng phèng", the sound is culturally associated with traditional music, street vendors' signals, and temple ceremonies.

1. Gong sound