Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Deep, low-pitched: Describes a sound, especially a voice or musical tone, that is low in frequency and often rich or warm in quality.
   • Subdued, low-key: Refers to a state, activity, or personality that is calm, not lively or intense.
   • Sunken, submerged (less common): Can describe something that is sunken or has sunk down.

2. Noun (abbreviation):

   • Agarwood / Eaglewood: A short form of "trầm hương," referring to the valuable, fragrant, dark resinous wood used in incense and perfume.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Giọng nói của anh ấy rất trầm và ấm áp. (His speaking voice is very deep and warm.)
  • Không khí trong phòng họp khá trầm. (The atmosphere in the meeting room was quite subdued.)
  • Con thuyền bị trầm sau vụ va chạm. (The boat was sunken after the collision.)

• Noun:

  • Mùi trầm tỏa ra từ chiếc lò hương. (The scent of agarwood wafted from the incense burner.)

Advanced Usage

• "trầm tính": calm-tempered, introverted.

  • Cô ấy là người trầm tính, ít nói. (She is a calm-tempered person who speaks little.)

• "trầm trầm": reduplicative form emphasizing a consistently low, deep, or subdued state.

  • Âm thanh trầm trầm vang lên từ tầng hầm. (A low, deep sound echoed from the basement.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trầm hương (n): agarwood, eaglewood (the full term for the fragrant wood).

  • Vòng tay làm từ trầm hương rất được ưa chuộng. (Bracelets made from agarwood are very popular.)

• Trầm cảm (n): depression (psychological state).

  • Cậu ấy đang được điều trị chứng trầm cảm. (He is being treated for depression.)

• Trầm trọng (adj): serious, severe, grave.

  • Tình hình sức khỏe của bệnh nhân ngày càng trầm trọng. (The patient's health condition is becoming increasingly serious.)

Synonyms

• Deep / Low: for sound (e.g., bass).
• Subdued / Calm: for mood or atmosphere.
• Agarwood / Aloeswood: for the noun form.

Related Idioms

• Trầm bổng: literally "low and high," describing melodic variation in music or speech.

  • Giọng kể chuyện của ông lên xuống trầm bổng. (His storytelling voice rose and fell in a melodic cadence.)

• Nổi trầm: literally "to float and to sink," describing the ups and downs of life or fortune.

  • Cuộc đời có lúc nổi trầm. (Life has its ups and downs.)

adj

1. deep, bass, low