Definition

1. Verb:
   • To whisper: To speak very softly and quietly, using one's breath rather than one's full voice, often so that only a person very close by can hear.
   • To murmur: To make a low, continuous, and indistinct sound, often used for soft speech or gentle natural sounds.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Hai đứa trẻ thầm thì với nhau trong góc phòng. (The two children whispered to each other in the corner of the room.)
  • Gió thầm thì qua kẽ lá. (The wind murmured through the leaves.)
  • Cô ấy thầm thì lời yêu thương bên tai anh. (She whispered words of love into his ear.)

Advanced Usage

• Used as an adjective/adverb ("thì thầm"): This variant is often used to describe the manner of speaking or the nature of a sound.
  • Tiếng nói thì thầm (a whispering voice)
  • Họ nói chuyện thì thầm để không ai nghe thấy. (They talked in whispers so no one could hear.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thì thầm (v): A common variant with the same meaning as "thầm thì," meaning to whisper or murmur.
  • Bà mẹ thì thầm hát ru con. (The mother softly sang a lullaby to her child.)

Synonyms

• Whisper: To speak very softly.
• Murmur: To make a low, continuous sound.
• Mutter: To speak in a low, often indistinct voice, sometimes in complaint.

Related Idioms

• Thầm thì trộm nhớ: To secretly remember or long for someone; to cherish a secret memory or affection.
  • Bao năm xa cách, lòng cô vẫn thầm thì trộm nhớ về người ấy. (After years apart, her heart still secretly held memories of that person.)