Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Taciturn, quiet, not talkative: Describes a person who speaks very little, is not talkative or lively in conversation.
   • Slow, not agile or quick-witted: Can imply a person who is not sharp, quick, or clever in their reactions or speech.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Anh ấy là người rù rì, ít khi tham gia vào các cuộc trò chuyện ồn ào. (He is a taciturn person, rarely joining in noisy conversations.)
  • Cô bé trông có vẻ rù rì nhưng học rất giỏi. (The girl seems quiet and not quick, but she studies very well.)
  • "Rù rì nhưng chăm làm" là một đức tính đáng quý. ("Taciturn but hard-working" is a valuable trait.)

Advanced Usage

• The word rù rì is often used in a descriptive, sometimes slightly critical or pitying manner to characterize someone's quiet or slow nature. However, it can also be used neutrally or even positively when paired with contrasting positive traits (e.g., hard-working, thoughtful).
• It can describe a temporary state of being unusually quiet or withdrawn.

Variants and Related Words

• Rù rờ (adj): A variant with a very similar meaning, emphasizing slowness, dullness, or a lack of alertness.
• Ít nói (adj phrase): Literally "speaks little," a more neutral synonym for the quiet aspect.
• Chậm chạp (adj): Slow (in movement or thinking), which can overlap with the "not agile" aspect of rù rì.

Synonyms

• Trầm lặng (adj): Quiet, calm, serene. (More positive connotation than rù rì).
• Ít lời (adj phrase): Of few words.
• Lầm lì (adj): Taciturn, sullen, uncommunicative. (Often with a negative, sulky connotation).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Rù rì như cục đất: As taciturn/slow as a lump of earth. (An idiom emphasizing extreme quietness or slowness).
• Người rù rì bụng hay: A quiet person often has a good heart. (A proverb suggesting that quiet people may be kind or thoughtful on the inside).

1. Be taciturn
   • Rù rì nhưng chăm làm
     To be tacturn but hard working