Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Roughly, approximately, superficially: Indicates an action done in a preliminary, non-detailed, or cursory manner, without going into depth.
   • Briefly, in passing: Suggests mentioning or doing something only lightly or briefly.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Tôi chỉ mới đọc sơ sơ báo cáo thôi. (I have only read the report roughly/superficially.)
  • Anh ấy giải thích sơ sơ về kế hoạch mới. (He explained the new plan briefly.)
  • Chúng ta hãy điểm qua sơ sơ các vấn đề chính. (Let's go over the main issues superficially.)

Advanced Usage

• "nói sơ sơ": to speak briefly/roughly about something.
  • Cô ấy chỉ nói sơ sơ về những khó khăn gặp phải. (She only spoke briefly about the difficulties encountered.)
• "tính sơ sơ": to calculate/estimate roughly.
  • Tính sơ sơ thì chi phí khoảng một trăm triệu. (Roughly estimated, the cost is about one hundred million.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sơ (adj/adv): Preliminary, initial, sketchy. Often forms the root for "sơ sơ".
  • bản phác thảo sơ (a preliminary sketch)
• Sơ bộ (adj): Preliminary, initial. More formal than "sơ sơ".
  • kết quả sơ bộ (preliminary results)
• Sơ lược (adj/adv): Summary, concise. Implies a condensed overview.
  • bản tóm tắt sơ lược (a summary outline)

Synonyms

• Qua loa (adv): Perfunctorily, cursorily. Similar to "sơ sơ" but can carry a slightly more negative connotation of carelessness.
• Đại khái (adv): Generally, roughly. Focuses on the general idea rather than details.
• Lướt qua (verb phrase): To skim over, to glance over. Describes the action itself.

Notes on Usage

• "Sơ sơ" is a reduplicative word (từ láy) derived from "sơ". It is commonly used in spoken and informal written Vietnamese.
• It often implies that a more detailed action, explanation, or calculation will or should follow. It sets the expectation that what is being presented is not the final or complete version.
• It is typically used as an adverb modifying verbs like (to speak), (to calculate), (to look at), (to read).

1. xem sơ (láy)