Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slow, sluggish, unhurried: Describes an action or movement that is performed slowly, without haste, often with a sense of being overly prolonged or drawn-out. It implies a lack of urgency or speed.
   • Lingering, dawdling: Can describe a state of lingering or wasting time, moving or acting with deliberate slowness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sao cậu lại rềnh ràng thế? Chúng ta sắp muộn rồi. (Why are you being so slow? We're going to be late.)
  • Cô ấy bước đi rềnh ràng trên con đường làng. (She walked slowly/unhurriedly down the village path.)
  • Đừng có rềnh ràng nữa, làm nhanh việc đó lên! (Stop dawdling, finish that task quickly!)

Advanced Usage

• "rềnh ràng rềnh ràng": A reduplicated form for emphasis, intensifying the meaning of slowness or sluggishness.
  • Nó cứ rềnh ràng rềnh ràng mãi không xong việc. (He just keeps dragging on and on without finishing the work.)

Variants and Related Words

• Dềnh dàng (adjective): This is the more standard, non-dialectal synonym. It has the same core meaning: slow, tardy, sluggish.
  • Tính anh ấy rất dềnh dàng. (He has a very slow/unhurried temperament.)
• Chậm chạp (adjective): Slow, sluggish. A common synonym, but often without the connotation of deliberate prolonging.
• Lề mề (adjective): Dilatory, procrastinating. Emphasizes slowness due to inefficiency or delay.

Synonyms

• Chậm: Slow.
• Lờ đờ: Lethargic, sluggish.
• Ỳ ạch: Moving with great difficulty and slowness.

Notes on Usage

• "Rềnh ràng" is identified as a regional/dialectal word (địa phương). It is commonly understood but is a variant of the standard word "dềnh dàng". The usage and meaning are identical.
• It carries a slightly negative or critical tone, often used to express impatience with someone's lack of speed or urgency.

1. (địa phương) xem dềnh dàng