Definition

1. Onomatopoeia:
   • A word that imitates the sound of a small drum or tambourine being beaten in a rapid, repeated succession.
   • It represents a light, percussive, and often rhythmic sound, typically "tap-tap-tap" or "rat-a-tat."

Usage Examples

• Onomatopoeia:
  • Từ xa vang lên tiếng "tung tung" của trống lễ. (From afar, the sound of "tung tung" from the ceremonial drum could be heard.)
  • Em bé vui mừng, tay gõ "tung tung" lên mặt bàn. (The child was happy, tapping out a "tung tung" sound on the tabletop.)

Advanced Usage

• The word is primarily used as a direct sound imitation. It can sometimes be reduplicated for emphasis or to describe a continuous, repetitive sound pattern, e.g., .

Variants and Related Words

• Tùng (onomatopoeia): A single, heavier beat of a drum, often a larger drum. Contrasts with the lighter, faster repetition of .
  • Tiếng trống cái điểm một tiếng "tùng" trang nghiêm. (The large drum solemnly struck a single "tùng" sound.)

Synonyms

• Rat-a-tat: A rapid series of short, sharp sounds, like those of a drum.
• Tap-tap-tap: A light, repeated tapping sound.

Related Idioms

• While itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is the core sound element in descriptions of drumming, festivities, or rhythmic tapping.