lơ lửng
adjective
Hanoi [ləː˧˧ lɨŋ˧˩]Huế [ləː˧˧ lɨŋ˧˨]Saigon [ləː˧˧ lɨŋ˨˩˦] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
lơ lửng means floating; hanging; hovering.
Meanings of lơ lửng in English
Adjective
- floating, hanging, hovering (in midspace)
- Chiếc dù lơ lửng trên không.The parachute is hovering in mid-air.
- alternative form of lửng lơ (“ambiguous, unresolved”)
- obsolete unemployed, idle
Historical script (chữ Nôm / Hán)
Before the Latin alphabet (chữ Quốc ngữ) became standard, lơ lửng could be written as 盧朗, 𪽮浪. Today Vietnamese is written only in the Latin alphabet.
Etymology
Compound of lơ (indicates loss of tension, structure, anchorage, etc.) + lửng (“midway, unfinished”). Doublet of lửng lơ.
Frequently asked questions
What does lơ lửng mean in English?
lơ lửng (adjective) means "floating; hanging; hovering".
How do you pronounce lơ lửng?
IPA: Hanoi [ləː˧˧ lɨŋ˧˩]; Saigon [ləː˧˧ lɨŋ˨˩˦]. Tones: lơ — level tone (ngang), lửng — dipping tone (hỏi).