thầm thì
Definition
- Verb:
- To whisper: To speak very softly and quietly, using one's breath rather than one's full voice, often so that only a person very close by can hear.
- To murmur: To make a low, continuous, and indistinct sound, often used for soft speech or gentle natural sounds.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Hai đứa trẻ thầm thì với nhau trong góc phòng. (The two children whispered to each other in the corner of the room.)
- Gió thầm thì qua kẽ lá. (The wind murmured through the leaves.)
- Cô ấy thầm thì lời yêu thương bên tai anh. (She whispered words of love into his ear.)
Advanced Usage
- Used as an adjective/adverb ("thì thầm"): This variant is often used to describe the manner of speaking or the nature of a sound.
- Tiếng nói thì thầm (a whispering voice)
- Họ nói chuyện thì thầm để không ai nghe thấy. (They talked in whispers so no one could hear.)
Variants and Related Words
- Thì thầm (v): A common variant with the same meaning as "thầm thì," meaning to whisper or murmur.
- Bà mẹ thì thầm hát ru con. (The mother softly sang a lullaby to her child.)
Synonyms
- Whisper: To speak very softly.
- Murmur: To make a low, continuous sound.
- Mutter: To speak in a low, often indistinct voice, sometimes in complaint.
Related Idioms
- Thầm thì trộm nhớ: To secretly remember or long for someone; to cherish a secret memory or affection.
- Bao năm xa cách, lòng cô vẫn thầm thì trộm nhớ về người ấy. (After years apart, her heart still secretly held memories of that person.)