Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Intensely burning, scorching, searing: Describes a very strong, sharp, and painful sensation of heat or burning, often on the skin or mucous membranes. It is the reduplicative form (láy) of "rát," intensifying its meaning.
   • Figuratively, stinging, biting, sharp: Can describe a very strong, painful, or intense emotional feeling, such as shame, criticism, or regret.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Vết bỏng trên tay tôi đau rát rạt. (The burn on my hand is searingly painful.)
  • Sau khi ăn ớt, trong miệng tôi cảm thấy rát rạt. (After eating chili, my mouth feels intensely burning.)
  • Lời chỉ trích của anh ấy khiến cô ấy cảm thấy xấu hổ rát rạt. (His criticism made her feel a stinging shame.)

Advanced Usage

• "Rát rạt" as an intensifier: The reduplication "rát rạt" serves to emphasize and intensify the base adjective "rát" (burning). It conveys a higher degree of sensation than "rát" alone.
  • So với cảm giác "rát" thông thường, "rát rạt" diễn tả mức độ đau đớn, nóng bỏng mãnh liệt hơn. (Compared to the usual "rát" sensation, "rát rạt" describes a more intense, fierce level of pain or burning.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rát (adj): Burning, stinging. The root word.
  • Cổ họng tôi hơi rát. (My throat is a bit sore.)
• Nóng rát (adj phrase): Hot and burning.
  • Cảm giác nóng rát ở vùng da bị cháy nắng. (A hot, burning sensation on the sunburned skin area.)

Synonyms

• Bỏng rát (adj): Scorching, burning.
• Nóng bỏng (adj): Scalding hot (can be literal or figurative for intense emotions).
• Xót xa (adj): Bitterly painful, poignant (primarily for emotional pain).

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning: The primary and most common meaning is physical, describing an acute burning sensation, often from injury, spice, or extreme heat.
• Figurative Meaning: The figurative use extends this intense physical sensation to describe sharp, painful emotions or psychological states, such as humiliation, sharp regret, or biting sarcasm.

1. xem rát (láy)