rình rập
[zïŋ˨˩ zəp̚˧˨ʔ]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to closely follow or monitor someone sneakily for a malicious purpose; to lurk, to stalk
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Cẩn thận, dạo này bọn chúng thường rình rập quanh đây để trộm cắp đấy.Be careful, they often lurk around here to steal these days.
Biết là bọn mật thám rình rập, các nhà cách mạng phải chuyển địa điểm hội họp.Knowing that the secret police were closely monitoring them, the revolutionaries had to change their meeting place.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(verb) Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see rình.
Common questions
What does “rình rập” mean?
(verb) to closely follow or monitor someone sneakily for a malicious purpose; to lurk, to stalk
Is “rình rập” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.