Definition

1. Verb:
   • To sob quietly / to sniffle: To cry with repeated, soft, and muffled sounds, often while trying to control or hide one's crying.
   • To patter / to drizzle continuously: Used to describe light rain falling steadily and softly, creating a persistent, gentle sound.

Usage Examples

• Verb (crying):

  • Đứa trẻ ngồi trong góc sụt sùi. (The child sat in the corner sniffling.)
  • Cô ấy sụt sùi kể lại câu chuyện buồn. (She sobbed quietly while recounting the sad story.)

• Verb (rain):

  • Trời mưa sụt sùi cả ngày. (It drizzled continuously all day.)
  • Tiếng mưa sụt sùi trên mái hiên. (The sound of rain pattering on the porch roof.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often implies a repetitive, ongoing, and somewhat subdued action, whether referring to crying or rain. It conveys a sense of persistence and duration.

Variants and Related Words

• Sùi sụt: A variant form with identical meaning, often used interchangeably with "sụt sùi."

Synonyms

• To sniffle: To cry while making slight sniffing sounds.
• To sob quietly: To cry with convulsive breaths but in a hushed manner.
• To drizzle: To rain in very fine, light drops.

Related Idioms

• While "sụt sùi" itself is not typically part of a larger idiom, its repetitive nature is key to its meaning, describing an action that continues softly and persistently.

1. như sùi sụt. Continual and lasting