Definition

1. Onomatopoeia / Verb:
   • To babble, to murmur, to gurgle: A word that imitates the light, gentle, and repetitive sound of water flowing, typically over or around rocks, pebbles, or through a narrow space.

Usage Examples

• Onomatopoeia / Verb:
  • Tiếng suối chảy róc rách trong rừng. (The stream babbled/murmured in the forest.)
  • Nghe tiếng nước róc rách bên hiên nhà thật là thư thái. (Listening to the water gurgling by the porch is so relaxing.)
  • Con khe nhỏ nước chảy róc rách quanh năm. (The small brook babbles all year round.)

Advanced Usage

• While primarily describing the sound of water, "róc rách" can be used poetically to describe other soft, repetitive, and pleasant sounds, such as a child's light laughter or the gentle rustling of leaves in a specific context, though this is less common.
  • Tiếng cười trẻ con róc rách như suối nguồn. (The children's laughter babbled like a spring.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rì rào (onomatopoeia/verb): to rustle, to murmur (often for wind, leaves, or distant crowds).
• Lộp bộp (onomatopoeia/verb): to patter, to plop (for rain drops, especially on leaves).
• Ồ ồ (onomatopoeia/verb): to roar, to rumble (for loud water sounds like a waterfall or heavy river).

Synonyms

• Babble: to make a continuous low, gentle sound like water flowing over stones.
• Murmur: a soft, indistinct, continuous sound.
• Gurgle: to flow with a bubbling, rushing sound.
• Trickle: to flow in a small stream, often implying a soft sound.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Trong như tiếng suối róc rách: (As clear as the sound of a babbling brook) – Used to describe a very clear, pure, and pleasant voice or sound.
  • Giọng hát của cô ấy trong như tiếng suối róc rách. (Her singing voice was as clear as a babbling brook.)

verb

1. to babble