thoắt
Definition
- Adverb:
- Suddenly; in an instant; abruptly: Describes an action that happens very quickly, almost without warning, or in a very short, imperceptible moment. It emphasizes the suddenness and swiftness of a change or appearance.
- Nimbly; briskly: Describes a light, quick, and agile manner of movement, often with a sense of grace or ease.
Usage Examples
- Adverb (Suddenly):
- Cậu bé thoắt biến vào trong nhà. (The boy suddenly disappeared into the house.)
- Trời đang nắng, thoắt cái mưa rơi. (It was sunny, then suddenly rain fell.)
- Adverb (Nimbly):
- Bà cụ đi lại thoắt thoắt trong vườn. (The old woman moved nimbly back and forth in the garden.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used in literary or descriptive contexts to add a poetic or vivid sense of speed and suddenness.
- It is commonly seen in the reduplicated form "thoăn thoắt", which intensifies the meaning of moving quickly, lightly, and with agility.
- Người thợ làm việc thoăn thoắt. (The craftsman worked briskly and deftly.)
Variants and Related Words
- Thoăn thoắt (adv): An intensified, reduplicated form meaning very nimbly, briskly, or with quick, light movements.
- Cô ấy gõ bàn phím thoăn thoắt. (She typed on the keyboard briskly.)
Synonyms
- Suddenly: Occurring quickly and unexpectedly.
- Instantly: Happening immediately.
- Abruptly: Suddenly and unexpectedly.
- Nimbly: In a quick and light way.
- Briskly: In an active, quick, or energetic manner.
Related Idioms
- Thoắt ẩn thoắt hiện: To appear and disappear suddenly; to flicker in and out of sight.
- Ánh đèn thoắt ẩn thoắt hiện trong sương mù. (The light flickered in and out of sight in the fog.)
- Thoắt cái: In an instant; in a flash. A common phrase to emphasize how quickly something happened.
- Thoắt cái, mười năm đã trôi qua. (In a flash, ten years had passed.)