xì xầm
Definition
Verb:
- To whisper, to murmur: To speak very softly and quietly, often in a secretive or conspiratorial manner, typically among a small group of people.
- To gossip in low tones: To engage in hushed conversation, often about rumors or private matters not intended for public hearing.
Noun:
- A whisper, a murmur: The soft, indistinct sound of people talking quietly together, often implying secretive or gossipy talk.
Usage Examples
- Verb:
- Mọi người đang xì xầm với nhau ở góc phòng. (Everyone is whispering to each other in the corner of the room.)
- Đám đông bắt đầu xì xầm bàn tán về vụ việc. (The crowd began to murmur and discuss the incident.)
- Noun:
- Tiếng xì xầm trong hội trường ngày càng to. (The murmur in the hall grew louder.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a connotation of secrecy, suspicion, or spreading rumors. It describes not just the low volume of speech but also its furtive or gossipy nature.
- It is frequently used in the reduplicative form "xì xầm xào xạc" to evoke a more vivid soundscape of rustling and whispering noises.
Variants and Related Words
- Xầm xì (v): A variant form with identical meaning and usage (to whisper, to murmur).
- Họ ngồi xầm xì cả buổi tối. (They sat whispering all evening.)
Synonyms
- To whisper: To speak very softly using one's breath without the vocal cords.
- To murmur: To make a low, continuous, indistinct sound, often from multiple people speaking quietly.
- To gossip: To engage in casual or unconstrained conversation about others, often involving details that are not confirmed as true.
Related Idioms
- Xì xầm bàn tán: To whisper and discuss (often with a gossipy tone).
- Cứ mỗi sự kiện lại khiến dân làng xì xầm bàn tán. (Every event causes the villagers to whisper and discuss.)