Definition

1. Verb:

   • To murmur; to whisper softly and continuously: Describes the act of speaking in a very low, soft, and often indistinct voice, typically to avoid being overheard or to create an intimate atmosphere. It implies a continuous, gentle sound.
   • To rustle; to make a soft, continuous, whispering sound: Describes a natural, gentle, and continuous sound, like that of leaves, wind, or flowing water.

2. Noun:

   • A murmur; a soft whisper; a rustling sound: Refers to the low, continuous, and indistinct sound itself, whether from voices or nature.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Họ ngồi rì rầm với nhau ở hành lang. (They sat murmuring to each other in the hallway.)
  • Gió thổi làm lá cây rì rầm. (The wind blew, making the leaves rustle.)
• Noun:
  • Chỉ còn nghe thấy tiếng rì rầm của dòng suối. (Only the murmur of the stream could be heard.)
  • Tiếng rì rầm trong thư viện khiến tôi buồn ngủ. (The murmur in the library made me sleepy.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "rì rầm" often carries a poetic or descriptive connotation, emphasizing atmosphere, secrecy, or the gentle, persistent quality of a sound. It is more evocative than the neutral "thì thầm" (to whisper).
• It can be used to describe the sound of people reciting or praying in a low, collective voice.
  • Các sư rì rầm tụng kinh. (The monks murmured prayers.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thì thầm (v): To whisper (often implies a more direct, secretive, or brief exchange between individuals compared to the more continuous and atmospheric "rì rầm").
• Xào xạc (v): To rustle (specifically for dry leaves or paper, a sharper, drier sound than "rì rầm").
• Lẩm bẩm (v): To mumble (to speak unclearly, often to oneself).

Synonyms

• Murmur: A low, continuous, indistinct sound.
• Whisper: To speak very softly.
• Rustle: A soft, whispering sound made by things lightly rubbing together.
• Susurrus: (Literary) A whispering or rustling sound.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Rì rầm tâm sự: To confide in murmurs; to share secrets in soft whispers.
  • Hai chị em rì rầm tâm sự đến khuya. (The two sisters confided in murmurs until late at night.)
• Tiếng rì rầm của biển cả: The murmur/roar of the ocean (often used poetically for the constant, soothing sound of waves).

1. Murmur
   • Chuyện trò rì rầm thâu đêm
     They talked in murmurs throughout the night