Definition

1. Verb:

   • To murmur softly: To speak in a very low, gentle, and continuous voice, often in a private or intimate setting.
   • To coo: To talk in a soft, loving, or confidential manner, similar to the sound made by doves.

2. Adjective (descriptive):

   • Whispering / murmuring: Used to describe the soft, indistinct sound of quiet, intimate conversation.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Hai mẹ con rủ rỉ trò chuyện. (The mother and child murmured softly to each other.)
  • Họ ngồi trong góc, rủ rỉ cả tối. (They sat in the corner, cooing all evening.)

• Adjective:

  • Tiếng nói rủ rỉ từ phòng bên vọng ra. (A murmuring voice drifted out from the next room.)

Advanced Usage

• "rủ rỉ rù rì": This is a reduplicative form that intensifies the meaning, describing continuous, soft, and intimate whispering or murmuring.
  • Các cụ già ngồi rủ rỉ rù rì kể chuyện ngày xưa. (The elderly sat murmuring and cooing, telling stories of the old days.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thì thầm (v): to whisper. This is a close synonym but can be slightly more secretive, while "rủ rỉ" often implies affectionate or continuous soft talk.
• Nói khẽ (v): to speak softly.

Synonyms

• Murmur: To make a low, continuous sound, especially when speaking.
• Coo: To speak in a soft, gentle, and loving way.
• Whisper: To speak very softly using one's breath without the vocal cords.

Related Idioms

• Rủ rỉ như chim gù: To murmur like cooing doves. This idiom emphasizes the gentle, loving quality of the conversation.
  • Hai đứa trẻ rủ rỉ như chim gù. (The two children murmured like cooing doves.)

1. Murmur softly, coo
   • Rủ rỉ trò chuyện
     To coo confidences to one another
2. Rủ rỉ rù rì (láy)
   • Nói chuyện rủ rỉ rù rì
     To talk in coos and murmurs