The Vietnamese word "thút thít" is an adverb that describes a type of quiet, soft sniffing sound often associated with crying or being upset. It conveys emotions of sadness or disappointment and is usually used to depict someone who is trying to hold back their tears or emotions but can't help but sniffle softly.
Cô bé thút thít khi nghe câu chuyện buồn.
(The little girl sniffled softly when she heard the sad story.)
Anh ấy ngồi một mình, thút thít trong tối tăm.
(He sat alone, sniffing softly in the darkness.)
In literature or poetry, "thút thít" can be used to evoke a strong feeling of empathy in the reader, describing not just the sound but the atmosphere of sadness. It can also be paired with other emotional words to deepen the imagery.
While "thút thít" generally refers to the sound associated with quiet crying, it can also imply a state of being emotionally vulnerable or fragile. The focus is on the gentle, subdued nature of the emotion rather than overt displays of grief.