thoảng qua

Một mùi hương hoa nhài thoảng qua trong không khí.

Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Fleeting / Passing: Describes something that lasts for a very short time, is transient, or passes by quickly.
   • Faint / Slight: Describes a sensation, especially a smell or sound, that is very light, delicate, and barely perceptible.

2. Adverb:

   • Briefly / In passing: Indicates that an action, thought, or occurrence happens for a very short duration or is done cursorily.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Đó chỉ là một cảm giác thoảng qua. (That was just a fleeting feeling.)
  • Có mùi hương thoảng qua của hoa nhài. (There's a faint scent of jasmine.)

• Adverb:

  • Tôi chỉ nghĩ về nó thoảng qua. (I only thought about it briefly.)
  • Ý tưởng ấy thoảng qua trong tâm trí cô ấy. (That idea passed through her mind in passing.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to poetically describe ephemeral moments, emotions, or sensory impressions.
  • Nỗi buồn thoảng qua như cơn gió. (The sadness passed by like a gust of wind.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thoáng qua (adj/adv): A common variant with identical meaning (fleeting, briefly).
  • Một nụ cười thoáng qua. (A fleeting smile.)

Synonyms

• Fleeting: Lasting for a very short time.
• Transient: Lasting only for a short period.
• Faint: Barely perceptible.
• Brief: Of short duration.
• Ephemeral: Lasting a very short time (more literary).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Thoảng qua như gió thoảng: As fleeting as a passing breeze; emphasizes extreme brevity and intangibility.
  • Hạnh phúc đôi khi thoảng qua như gió thoảng. (Happiness is sometimes as fleeting as a passing breeze.)