Definition

1. Adjective / Adverb (Reduplicative form):
   • To leak or seep slowly and continuously: Describes a liquid, often water, escaping or oozing out drop by drop or in a very thin, steady stream.
   • To speak in a low, continuous, and often secretive manner: Describes talking in a soft, persistent whisper, typically to share gossip or confidential information.
   • To cry softly and persistently: Describes weak, prolonged weeping or sobbing.

Usage Examples

• Adjective / Adverb:
  • Nước mưa ri rỉ qua mái tôn. (Rainwater leaks slowly through the corrugated iron roof.)
  • Họ ngồi ri rỉ chuyện với nhau cả buổi. (They sat whispering/talking softly to each other all afternoon.)
  • Đứa bé khóc ri rỉ suốt đêm. (The child cried softly all night.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe any continuous, low-intensity, and often unnoticed action, such as the slow passage of time or the gradual spending of money.
  • Tiền để dành ri rỉ cũng hết. (The saved money gradually dribbled away.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rỉ (v): to ooze, to seep, to leak slowly. This is the root word.
  • Nước rỉ từ ống. (Water is seeping from the pipe.)

Synonyms

• Dribble: to flow or let flow in small drops.
• Trickle: to flow in a thin, gentle stream.
• Whisper: to speak very softly.
• Weep softly: to cry quietly and continuously.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Ri rỉ bên tai: to whisper persistently in someone's ear (often implying nagging or secretive influence).
  • Cô ấy cứ ri rỉ bên tai mãi về chuyện đó. (She kept whispering persistently about that matter in my ear.)

1. xem rỉ (láy)