Definition

1. Onomatopoeia (Từ tượng thanh):
   • Flip-flap, flapping noise: The sound made by a thin, broad object (like a sail, flag, or piece of cloth) repeatedly striking or being agitated by the wind.
   • Fluttering, flapping: Describes the action and sound of something loose and flat moving back and forth rapidly in the wind.

Usage Examples

• As an onomatopoeia/adverb:
  • Cánh buồm đập phần phật vào cột buồm. (The sail struck the mast with a flapping noise.)
  • Lá cờ bay phần phật trong gió. (The flag fluttered noisily in the wind.)
  • Tấm bạt trên mái nhà kêu phần phật suốt đêm. (The tarpaulin on the roof made a flapping sound all night.)

Advanced Usage

• "phần phật" as a descriptive verb/adverb: Often used to vividly describe both the visual movement and the accompanying sound of flapping, emphasizing a lack of control or a chaotic state caused by strong wind.
  • Cánh chim bị thương đập phần phật trên mặt đất. (The injured bird flapped wildly on the ground.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phành phạch (onomatopoeia): Another word for a flapping or slapping sound, often heavier or wetter (e.g., the sound of wet clothes on a line).
• Phấp phới (verb/adverb): To flutter, to fly gracefully (like a flag or ribbon). This word focuses more on the gentle, wave-like motion and less on the sound than phần phật.

Synonyms

• Đập bập bùng (verb phrase): To flap noisily.
• Kêu lộp bộp (verb phrase): To make a flapping or pattering sound (can be used for rain or loose objects).

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Gió thổi phần phật: The wind blows, causing things to flap noisily.
  • Mái che bằng nylon nghe gió thổi phần phật. (You could hear the nylon roof cover flapping in the wind.)

1. Flipflap, flapping noise
   • Cánh buồm đập phần phật vào cột buồm
     The sail struck the mast with a flapping noise