The Vietnamese word "ngấm ngầm" can be understood as "subtle" or "covert." It refers to actions, feelings, or thoughts that are not openly expressed or are kept hidden. This term often implies that something is happening quietly or secretly, without drawing attention.
Ngấm ngầm yêu thích - "to have a secret affection for someone"
Example sentence: "Cô ấy ngấm ngầm yêu thích anh ấy mà không dám nói ra."
Translation: "She has a secret affection for him but doesn't dare to say it."
Ngấm ngầm phản đối - "to quietly oppose"
Example sentence: "Anh ta ngấm ngầm phản đối quyết định của ban lãnh đạo."
Translation: "He quietly opposed the decision of the leadership."
In more advanced contexts, "ngấm ngầm" can describe complex emotions or strategies in situations where people are not straightforward. For instance, you might say: - "Ngấm ngầm thao túng" - "to subtly manipulate"
Example: "Họ ngấm ngầm thao túng các quyết định quan trọng."
Translation: "They subtly manipulated important decisions."
There are no direct variants of "ngấm ngầm," but it can be combined with other words to express more specific meanings, such as: - Ngấm - meaning "to soak" or "to absorb," which can be used in contexts about soaking in knowledge or feelings. - Ngầm - meaning "underground" or "covert," which can be used in different contexts about secrecy.
"Ngấm ngầm" primarily conveys the idea of subtlety or secrecy. However, in a different context, it could also imply a sense of patience or waiting for the right moment to act.