tòm cắc

Trống trường vang lên tiếng tòm cắc rộn rã.

Definition

1. Onomatopoeia:
   • A Vietnamese onomatopoeic word that imitates the sharp, percussive, and rhythmic sounds made by traditional drums, particularly the alternating sounds of the drum's face (head) and its wooden body (caisse).

Usage Examples

• Onomatopoeia:
  • Tiếng trống nghe rõ "tòm cắc, tòm cắc". (The drum sound was clearly heard as "tom-cack, tom-cack".)
  • Trống chèo đánh theo nhịp tòm cắc. (The cheo drum is played in a "tom-cack" rhythm.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is often used in the context of Vietnamese traditional music, opera (like or ), and folk performances to describe the foundational rhythmic pattern of the drum accompaniment.

Variants and Related Words

• Tòm: Often represents the deeper, fuller sound from striking the center of the drumhead.
• Cắc: Often represents the higher, sharper sound from striking the rim of the drum or using a different technique.

Synonyms

• Rat-a-tat: A general English onomatopoeia for a rapid series of knocking or tapping sounds.
• Boom-tap: A compound onomatopoeia suggesting an alternating low and high sound.

Related Idioms

• While not a standalone idiom, the phrase "nhịp tòm cắc" (the tom-cack rhythm) is a set phrase referring to the characteristic beat of certain traditional Vietnamese music.