Definition

1. Noun:

   • Whispering / murmuring: The act of speaking in a very low, soft, and often secretive voice, typically to avoid being overheard by others.
   • Hushed conversation: A private or confidential talk conducted in low tones.

2. Verb:

   • To whisper / to murmur: To speak very softly using one's breath without the vocal cords, often in a secretive or intimate manner.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Tiếng xì xầm trong góc phòng khiến tôi tò mò. (The whispering in the corner of the room made me curious.)
  • Họ có một cuộc xì xầm ngắn trước khi đưa ra quyết định. (They had a brief, hushed conversation before making the decision.)

• Verb:

  • Đừng xì xầm ở lớp học. (Don't whisper in class.)
  • Hai người bạn xì xầm với nhau về bí mật. (The two friends murmured to each other about a secret.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a connotation of secrecy, gossip, or sharing information that is not meant for public ears. It can imply plotting or sharing confidential news.

Variants and Related Words

• Xì xào: This is a common variant with identical meaning and usage (whispering, murmuring).
  • Mọi người bắt đầu xì xào bàn tán về tin đồn. (People began whispering and discussing the rumor.)

Synonyms

• Whisper: to speak very softly.
• Murmur: a low, continuous, indistinct sound, often of voices.
• Hushed talk: a conversation in quiet tones.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Xì xầm xì xào: This reduplicative phrase intensifies the meaning, describing widespread or continuous whispering and murmuring, often in a context of gossip or rumor.
  • Cả văn phòng xì xầm xì xào về sự thay đổi đột ngột. (The whole office was abuzz with whispering about the sudden change.)