Definition

1. Onomatopoeia / Noun:
   • A short, sharp, popping or cracking sound: "đốp" primarily imitates the sound of a small, sudden burst, crack, or pop, often from fire, something breaking, or a light impact.
   • To speak bluntly or retort sharply: Used figuratively to describe speaking in a sudden, direct, and often confrontational manner, "hitting" someone with words.

Usage Examples

• As an Onomatopoeia/Noun (Sound):
  • Nổ đánh đốp một cái. (It burst with a single pop.)
  • Ống tre nổ cháy đôm đốp. (The burning bamboo pipe crackled [with a series of pops].)
• Figurative Use (Speech):
  • Nói đốp ý nghĩ của mình vào mặt ai. (To speak out one's opinion bluntly in someone's face.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đôm đốp" (reduplicative form): This form emphasizes a repeated or continuous series of popping or cracking sounds.
  • Tiếng pháo nổ đôm đốp. (The firecrackers went off with a series of pops and cracks.)
• The figurative use implies a lack of tact or a desire to provoke a reaction, similar to a verbal "pop" or "snap".

Variants and Related Words

• Đôm đốp (reduplicative): Emphasizes a repetitive or crackling sound.
• Nổ (verb): To explode, to burst. "Đốp" often describes the specific sound of a "nổ".

Synonyms

• Tách (onomatopoeia): A light snap or pop sound.
• Rắc (onomatopoeia): A crackling sound.
• Nói thẳng / Nói toạc (verb phrases): To speak bluntly, to speak plainly (for the figurative meaning).

Related Phrases

• Nói đốp vào mặt: To retort/snap bluntly at someone (literally, "to speak 'đốp' into someone's face"). This is the primary figurative construction.
  • Anh ấy tức giận và nói đốp vào mặt đối thủ. (He was angry and snapped bluntly at his opponent.)

Notes

• "Đốp" is highly contextual. Its core meaning is sonic (a pop/crack), and its figurative use derives from the abrupt, impactful nature of that sound.
• The reduplicative form "đôm đốp" is very common when describing sounds.
• In modern usage, the sonic meaning is more frequent than the figurative one. The figurative use can sound somewhat forceful or dated.

1. Pop, crack
   • Nổ đánh đốp một cái
     To burst with a pop
   • Đôm đốp (láy)
     Crack
   • ống tre nổ cháy đôm đốp
     A burning bamboo pipe gave out cracks
2. In someone's face
   • Nói đốp ý nghĩ của mình vào mặt ai
     To speak out one's opinion in someone's face