Definition

1. Verb:
   • To wail; to whistle; to whizz: To make a long, high-pitched, and often loud sound, typically produced by air or an object moving at high speed. This can describe sirens, wind, bullets, etc.
   • To puff; to take a deep drag: To inhale smoke (especially from a water pipe like a "thuốc lào") deeply and audibly.
   • To be stiff; to grate; to not work smoothly: To move with difficulty, producing a harsh, grating sound due to a lack of lubrication or smooth operation (e.g., a wheel, a door).

Usage Examples

• Verb (to wail/whistle):
  • Còi báo động rít. (The alarm siren wailed.)
  • Gió rít trên đồi. (The wind whistled on the hill.)
  • Đạn rít qua. (The bullets whizzed past.)
• Verb (to puff):
  • Ông ấy rít một hơi thuốc lào. (He took a deep puff from the water pipe.)
• Verb (to be stiff/grate):
  • Bánh xe rít vì cần bôi trơn. (The wheel is stiff/grates because it needs lubrication.)
  • Cánh cửa rít mỗi khi mở. (The door grates every time it opens.)

Advanced Usage

• The reduplicated form "rin rít" is used to describe something that is slightly stiff or works with a little difficulty, attenuating the intensity of "rít".
  • Bánh xe rin rít, có lẽ sắp hết dầu. (The wheel is a bit stiff; perhaps it's running out of oil.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thở rít (n): A medical term meaning stridulous or wheezing respiration.
  • Đứa bé bị hen nên có tiếng thở rít. (The child has asthma, so there is a wheezing sound when breathing.)

Synonyms

• Wail, whistle, shriek, screech (for sounds).
• Drag, puff, inhale (for smoking).
• Squeak, grind, grate, stick (for mechanical friction).

Related Idioms

• While not a fixed idiom, the phrase "rít lên" is commonly used for a sudden, sharp cry or scream.
  • Nó đau quá nên rít lên. (It hurt so much that he let out a shriek.)

1. Wail; whistle,whizz
   • Còi báo động rít
     The alarm siren wailed
   • Gió rít trên đồi
     The wind wailed (whistled) on the hill
   • Đạn rít qua
     The bullets whizzed
2. Puff deeply at
   • Rít một hơi thuốc lào
     To puff deeply at the hubble-bubble pipe
3. Not to work smoothly
   • Bánh xe rít
     The wheel does not turn smoothly
   • Cánh cửa rít
     The door does not turn smoothly on its hinges
   • Rin rít (láy, ý giảm)
     Not to work very smoothly