Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly wet, moist, or damp: Describes a state where something is just beginning to become wet or has a small amount of moisture on its surface.
   • On the verge of tears, eyes welling up: Describes the state of eyes becoming slightly watery, typically just before tears start to fall, often due to emotion.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Đôi mắt cô ấy rơm rớm khi nghe tin buồn. (Her eyes were welling up when she heard the sad news.)
  • Mặt đường rơm rớm nước sau cơn mưa nhẹ. (The road surface was slightly damp after the light rain.)
  • Vết thương đã rơm rớm máu. (The wound was oozing a little blood.)

Advanced Usage

• "rơm rớm nước mắt": eyes brimming with tears, on the verge of crying.
  • Cậu bé rơm rớm nước mắt khi bị mắng. (The little boy's eyes welled up when he was scolded.)
• Used to describe the initial, slight stage of a liquid appearing, such as sweat, dew, or blood.

Variants and Related Words

• Rớm (Verb/Adj): To ooze, to seep; slightly wet. "Rơm rớm" is the reduplicative form (từ láy) of "rớm," emphasizing a slight, initial, or gentle degree.
  • Vết cắt rớm máu. (The cut is oozing blood.)

Synonyms

• Lâm râm: slightly, gently (often used for light rain or pain).
• Ướt nhẹ: slightly wet.
• Ngân ngấn: (of eyes) glistening with tears.

Notes on Meaning

• The word primarily describes a minimal, incipient state of wetness or the beginning of an emotional reaction (tearing up).
• It is often used in literary or descriptive contexts to convey subtlety and nuance.
• The reference to "rơm rớm máu" (oozing a little blood) is a specific, less common usage but valid.

1. xem rớm (láy)