Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Heavily and rapidly (of rain): Describes rain falling very hard, with great intensity and in quick succession, often creating a loud, continuous sound.
   • With a heavy, continuous sound: Can describe any sound that is heavy, dense, and continuous, similar to the sound of heavy rain.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:
  • Ngoài trời, mưa đang rơi sầm sập. (Outside, the rain is falling heavily and rapidly.)
  • Tiếng mưa rơi sầm sập trên mái tôn. (The sound of rain falling with a heavy, continuous patter on the tin roof.)
  • Mưa rào đổ xuống sầm sập. (The downpour came down in a heavy, relentless torrent.)

Advanced Usage

• "sầm sập" is primarily used as an onomatopoeic adverb to vividly describe the sound and manner of heavy rain. It emphasizes both the auditory impact and the visual intensity of the rainfall.

Variants and Related Words

• Sập (verb, adverb): To collapse; to fall down heavily. Can also imply a heavy, sudden fall, often used in the context of rain ("mưa sập xuống").
  • Cơn mưa sập xuống bất ngờ. (The rain fell heavily unexpectedly.)
• Lộp độp (adverb): Describes the sound of large, individual raindrops hitting a surface (like leaves or a roof), distinct from the continuous, dense sound of "sầm sập".

Synonyms

• Ào ào (adverb): Pouring down, gushing (of rain or water). Slightly less intense or continuous than "sầm sập".
• Rào rào (adverb): Rustling, pattering (can be for rain or wind). Often describes a lighter, more constant sound.
• Xối xả (adverb): Torrentially, pouring down heavily. Focuses more on the volume and force of water than the specific sound.

Related Phrases

• Mưa sầm sập: Heavy, pelting rain. This is the most common collocation.
  • Trời đổ cơn mưa sầm sập. (The sky unleashed a heavy, pelting rainstorm.)

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