rình rập

Thân thiện

Con hổ rình rập con mồi trong bụi rậm.

Definition

1. Verb:

   • To lie in wait: To hide and wait secretly for someone or something, usually with the intent to attack, ambush, or catch them by surprise.
   • To lurk / to be on the watch: To follow or watch someone or something stealthily and persistently, often implying a constant, threatening presence.

2. Verb (figurative):

   • To loom / to stalk: Used to describe a constant, hidden danger or threat (like a disease, crisis, or disaster) that seems to be ever-present and waiting to happen.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Con hổ rình rập con mồi. (The tiger lies in wait for its prey.)
  • Tên trộm rình rập trong bóng tối. (The thief lurks in the darkness.)
  • Nguy hiểm luôn rình rập phía trước. (Danger is always looming ahead.)

Advanced Usage

• "rình rập theo dõi": to stalk, to shadow someone closely and secretly.
  • Anh ta bị một kẻ lạ mặt rình rập theo dõi. (He is being stalked by a stranger.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rình (v): to peek, to spy, to watch stealthily (often for a shorter period or a specific moment).

  • Đứa bé rình mẹ về. (The child peeks, waiting for mom to come home.)

• Rập (v, less common alone): This element often combines with "rình" to intensify the meaning, suggesting a repeated, encircling, or pressing-in action.

Synonyms

• Lurk: To wait hidden and motionless, often with harmful intent.
• Stalk: To pursue or approach prey or a person stealthily.
• Ambush: To lie in wait for a surprise attack.
• Prowl: To move around quietly, especially when hunting or searching.

Related Idioms

• Rình rập như mèo rình chuột: To stalk/lie in wait like a cat watching a mouse. Describes very patient, stealthy, and focused watching before striking.

  • Hắn rình rập đối thủ như mèo rình chuột. (He stalks his opponent like a cat watching a mouse.)

• Nguy cơ rình rập: A looming/stalking danger.

  • Nguy cơ dịch bệnh vẫn đang rình rập. (The danger of an epidemic is still looming.)

Học thuật

1. Lie in wait, be on the watch
   • Trộm rình rập suốt đêm
     Burglars were on the watch throughout the night