Definition

1. Verb:
   • To flutter, to wave: Describes the light, rapid, and often joyful movement of something thin and light, like a flag or fabric, in the wind or air.
   • To flap gently: Refers to the soft, flapping motion of something light, carried by the breeze.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cờ đỏ sao vàng phấp phới trên đỉnh cột. (The red flag with a yellow star fluttered atop the flagpole.)
  • Tà áo dài của cô ấy phấp phới trong gió. (Her áo dài fluttered in the wind.)
  • Những lá cờ nhỏ phấp phới dọc theo con phố. (Small flags fluttered along the street.)

Advanced Usage

• "phấp phới bay": to fly fluttering.
  • Lá thư từ tay anh ấy rơi ra và phấp phới bay theo chiều gió. (The letter fell from his hand and fluttered away with the wind.)
• Used metaphorically to describe a light, cheerful, or excited state of mind, though this is less common.
  • Lòng tôi phấp phới niềm vui. (My heart fluttered with joy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phấp phơ (verb): A variant with a very similar meaning, also meaning to flutter or wave gently.
  • Lá cờ phấp phơ trong làn gió nhẹ. (The flag fluttered in the gentle breeze.)
• Phất phơ (verb): To sway or flutter loosely; often implies a slower, more swaying motion than "phấp phới".
  • Mấy sợi tóc mai phất phơ trước trán. (A few strands of hair swayed loosely on the forehead.)
• Bay phấp phới (verb phrase): to fly while fluttering.

Synonyms

• Bay phần phật (verb): to flap vigorously (often with more force or noise than "phấp phới").
• Đập (verb): to flap, to beat (e.g., wings). This implies a stronger, more purposeful motion.
• Vẫy (verb): to wave (e.g., a hand, a flag intentionally).

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Note: As a descriptive verb, "phấp phới" itself is not typically used in phrasal verb constructions like English verbs. It is often combined with other verbs to describe manner. - Bay phấp phới: As mentioned above, to fly fluttering.

Related Idioms

• Cờ bay phấp phới: A common phrase describing flags fluttering joyfully, often evoking a sense of celebration, freedom, or national pride.
  • Ngày lễ quốc khánh, cờ bay phấp phới khắp nơi. (On National Day, flags fluttered everywhere.)

1. Flutter, wave
   • Cờ phấp phới trước gió
     Flags fluttered in the wind