rỉ rả

Definition

Adverb:
- Sporadically / in a trickling or intermittent manner: Describes a continuous but light, slow, and irregular flow or sound, often of liquid or something perceived as a soft, persistent stream. It emphasizes a steady, gentle, and unceasing quality over a long period.
- In a constant, quiet, and persistent way: Can describe a soft, ongoing sound or action that is barely noticeable but unstopping.
Adjective:
- Trickling / drizzling / intermittent: Used to characterize something, like rain or a sound, that has a light, sporadic nature.

Usage Examples

Adverb:
- Mưa rỉ rả suốt đêm. (It rained sporadically/drizzled intermittently throughout the night.)
- Nước mắt cô ấy rỉ rả chảy. (Her tears trickled down steadily.)
- Tiếng mưa rơi rỉ rả trên mái tôn. (The sound of rain fell in a constant, gentle patter on the tin roof.)
Adjective:
- Cơn mưa rỉ rả khiến không khí ẩm ướt. (The intermittent drizzle made the air damp.)
- Chúng tôi nghe thấy tiếng nước rỉ rả từ vòi. (We heard the trickling sound of water from the faucet.)

Advanced Usage

Often used to create imagery of melancholy, patience, or a slow, wearing-down process. It is not used for heavy, torrential, or sudden flows.
Can be applied metaphorically to describe the persistent, slow dissemination of information or gossip.
- Tin đồn rỉ rả lan khắp làng. (The rumors spread slowly and persistently throughout the village.)

Variants and Related Words

Rỉ (v): to leak, to ooze slowly.
- Nước rỉ từ thùng. (Water is leaking from the barrel.)
Rỉ rơi: A less common variant with a similar meaning of slow, light falling.

Synonyms

Related Idioms and Phrases

Rỉ rả như mưa dầm: (To be) constant and persistent like prolonged drizzle. Used to describe something tedious or unending.
- Lời than vãn của anh ta rỉ rả như mưa dầm. (His complaints were constant and persistent like endless drizzle.)

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