Definition

1. Adverb:

   • Sniffingly; while sniffling: Describes the manner of crying or sobbing quietly, with repeated, soft sniffs, typically in an attempt to conceal the sound.
   • In a muffled, whimpering way: Refers to subdued crying that is small and discreet, as if trying to hide it from others.

2. Onomatopoeic Verb (used descriptively):

   • To whimper; to sniffle: Represents the action of crying softly with intermittent sniffing sounds. It often conveys a sense of childlike, restrained, or secretive sorrow.

Usage Examples

• Adverb:

  • Đứa bé khóc thút thít trong phòng. (The child cried sniffingly in the room.)
  • Cô ấy ngồi thút thít một mình. (She sat there whimpering by herself.)

• Descriptive Verb:

  • Suốt buổi tối, nó chỉ thút thít. (All evening, he just sniffled.)
  • Đừng có thút thít nữa! (Stop whimpering!)

Advanced Usage

• The word is strongly onomatopoeic, imitating the sound of restrained crying. It often implies a prolonged state of quiet, pitiful sadness rather than loud, sudden outbursts.
• It can describe the crying of someone feeling sorry for themselves, or of a child who is upset but trying not to be heard by adults.

Variants and Related Words

• Sụt sùi (v): To sob; to cry with convulsive breaths. This is slightly more audible and pronounced than "thút thít."
• Nức nở (v): To weep; to cry with audible sobs. This suggests stronger emotion than "thút thít."

Synonyms

• Snivel: To cry and sniff in a whining or tearful way.
• Whimper: To make low, feeble sounds expressive of fear, pain, or discontent.
• Blubber: To cry noisily and uncontrollably (stronger than "thút thít").

Related Idioms

• While "thút thít" itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is commonly used in the phrase "khóc thút thít," which directly translates to "to cry sniffingly/whimperingly."
  • Nghe câu chuyện buồn, nó cứ khóc thút thít. (Hearing the sad story, she kept crying sniffingly.)

adv

1. sniffingly