Regarding some reduplicated words: Thập thò, thè lè, thò lò, thoi lòi

(Baothanhhoa.vn) - In the previous issue of our "Talking About Words" column, we discussed some reduplicated words of Chinese origin: "phan tran" (to explain), "phan tran" (excited), "phien phuc" (troublesome). In this article, we continue to analyze the meanings of the elements in the reduplicated words: "thap tho" (to peek), "the le" (to stick out its tongue), "tho lo" (to stick out its tail), "thoi loi" (to peek through the hole). (The text in quotation marks after the entry number is the original text from the Dictionary of Vietnamese Reduplicated Words - Institute of Linguistics - edited by Hoang Van Hanh; the new line contains our analysis and discussion):

1. "Sneaking out (verb). To peek out and then retract repeatedly, to appear and then retreat, to disappear immediately, with the intention of being timid or afraid. Not daring to enter the house, just lurking outside the gate. A mouse lurking at the entrance of its burrow. "At the doors, a few heads peek out. In some places, they are slightly ajar and then slammed shut again" (To Hoai).

Actually, "thập thò" is a compound word with coordinate meanings, where "thập" means to retract or squat down (like sitting cross-legged); and "thò" means to stick out or peek out (like sticking one's head out). Therefore, "thập" means retract; "thò" means peek out; "thập thò" means retracting and peeking out; retracting and then peeking out; retracting and then peeking up.

None of the dictionaries we had recorded "thập" as meaning "to squat" or "to plop." However, the Vietnamese dictionary indirectly recorded "thập" as synonymous with "thụp." In the entry for "thụp," this dictionary explains it as "to sit down cross-legged" and gives the example "Sit cross-legged, nod a few times before the tomb, then step out (Kiều)."

The phrase "thập" in "thập thò" is the same as "thập" in "thập thụng" (taking small, hesitant steps).

Therefore, "thập thò" is a compound word formed by joining two words, not a reduplicated word.

2. "THÈ LÈ" (verb) 1. To stick one's tongue out of the mouth very far. The tongue sticks out. "He stuck his tongue out like a dog in the hot season" (Nam Cao). 2. To protrude significantly from others in the same row. The house is sticking out at the edge of the road."

"Thè lè" is a compound word with coordinate meanings, where "thè" means to stick out or stick out (as in "sticking out the tongue to lick"); "lè" means to stick out, stick out, or push the tongue out of the mouth; to push out (as in "March sun, old dog sticks out its tongue"). Some words like "chua lè" (sour and bitter) and "chat lè" (bitter and sour) are examples of word formation based on reality, where when people eat something sour or bitter, they often stick out their tongue and push or push that sour or bitter food out of their mouth. The Vietnamese dictionary (cited) explains: "thè • To stick out, to extend <> To stick out the tongue."; "lè • To stick out, to push out <> A piece of paper sticking out. If you can't eat it, you have to stick it out."

Therefore, "thè lè" is a compound word formed by combining elements, not a reduplicated word.

3-“Thò lò (verb) (Nasal mucus) flowing out in a long, trailing stream. A green, runny nose.”

"Thò lò" is a compound word formed by combining elements. "Thò" means to peek out (same meaning as "thò" in "thập thò"), to offer, to protrude (as in "Ông đưa chân giò, bà thúy chai rượu" - proverb; "For several days I haven't shown my face outside"); "lò" also means to peek out, to protrude (as in "He's scared, so he hasn't dared to show his face for several days").

The Vietnamese dictionaries we have don't record "lò" as meaning "to stick out." However, this word is still commonly used in the Thanh-Nghệ region, as the Nghệ dialect dictionary notes: "Lò - to stick out... or stick out your face...".

Therefore, "thò lò" is a compound word formed by combining elements, not a reduplicated word.

4. "To stick out (verb). To stick out in a messy way. The hem of the shirt sticks out from the waistband. The handkerchief sticks out of the trouser pocket."

"Thòi lòi" is a compound word with coordinate meanings, where "thới" means to protrude, to pop out, to emerge (like "thòi ruột"; "Your pants pocket is sticking out!"); "lòi" also means to protrude, to protrude (like "thòi ruột"; "Finally, the money has to come out"); it is synonymous with "thò," "thới," and "tòi."

Thus, the four words "thập thò," "thè lè," "thò lò," and "thới lòi," which are included in the Vietnamese Dictionary of Reduplicated Words, are actually compound words of equal standing, not reduplicated words.

Hoang Trinh Son (Contributor)

Source: https://baothanhhoa.vn/ve-mot-so-tu-lay-thap-tho-the-le-tho-lo-thoi-loi-253427.htm