Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Furtive and frequent: Describes the act of going in and out of a place repeatedly, often in a secretive, sneaky, or suspicious manner. It implies a lack of propriety or straightforwardness in one's comings and goings.
   • Having dubious associations: Refers to the act of frequently and covertly visiting or associating with someone, often with a connotation of seeking favor, engaging in underhanded dealings, or maintaining questionable relationships.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Hắn cứ thậm thụt ra vào nhà hàng xóm cả tuần nay. (He has been sneaking in and out of the neighbor's house all week.)
  • Không biết nó thậm thụt chỗ ông giám đốc để làm gì. (I don't know why he's been furtively hanging around the director's office.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is often used in its reduplicated form "thậm thà thậm thụt" to emphasize the repetitive, persistent, and sneaky nature of the action.
  • Thấy nó thậm thà thậm thụt nơi nhà quan, ai cũng nghi ngờ. (Seeing him constantly and furtively visiting the official's house, everyone became suspicious.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thậm thà thậm thụt (adj): The intensified, reduplicated form of "thậm thụt," emphasizing repeated, covert movement or association.

Synonyms

• Furtive: Secretive and sly.
• Covert: Not openly acknowledged or displayed.
• Sneaking: Acting in a secretive or stealthy way.

Related Idioms

• Thậm thụt nơi quyền quý: To furtively frequent or seek out powerful and noble figures (often to gain influence or favor).
  • Kẻ cơ hội chỉ biết thậm thụt nơi quyền quý. (Opportunists only know how to lurk around the powerful.)