Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Physically wet, damp, soaked: Describes something that is very wet, often unpleasantly so, to the point of being soggy or waterlogged.
   • Sentimental, mawkish, overly emotional: Describes a manner, expression, or style that is excessively sentimental, saccharine, or dripping with emotion, often in a way that feels insincere or cloying.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Physical Wetness):

  • Sau cơn mưa, con đường trở nên ướt át và lầy lội. (After the rain, the road became wet and muddy.)
  • Đừng để quần áo ướt át trên sàn nhà. (Don't leave the wet clothes on the floor.)

• Adjective (Excessive Emotion):

  • Anh ấy không thích những bộ phim có kết thúc ướt át. (He doesn't like movies with overly sentimental endings.)
  • Bài thơ của cô ấy nghe có vẻ hơi ướt át. (Her poem sounds a bit mawkish.)

Advanced Usage

• Describing an Atmosphere or Climate: Can describe a humid, damp, or "rotten" climate that feels oppressive.
  • Khí hậu ướt át của vùng này không tốt cho sức khỏe. (The damp climate of this region is not good for health.)
• Describing a Look or Gaze: Used figuratively to describe a look that is languishing, longing, or dripping with (often excessive) emotion.
  • Cô ấy đưa cho anh một cái nhìn ướt át đầy vẻ trách móc. (She gave him a languid, reproachful look.)

Variants and Related Words

• Ướt (adj): Wet. This is the basic, neutral term for wetness. "Ướt át" intensifies this state, often with a negative connotation of being unpleasantly soaked or overly sentimental.
• Ẩm ướt (adj): Damp, humid. Focuses more on moisture in the air or a slightly wet state.
• Sướt mướt (adj): Whiny, tearful, prone to crying. Shares the connotation of excessive, often annoying emotion.

Synonyms

• Physical: Sũng nước (waterlogged), đẫm nước (drenched), lầy lội (muddy).
• Emotional: Sến (colloquial for corny/sentimental), mùi mẫn (mawkish, overly sweet), sướt mướt (whiny).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Giọng điệu ướt át: A mawkish/sentimental tone of voice.
  • Cô ấy kể câu chuyện với một giọng điệu ướt át. (She told the story in a mawkish tone.)
• Tình cảm ướt át: Overly sentimental/clammy emotions.
  • Tôi thích tình cảm chân thành hơn là thứ tình cảm ướt át. (I prefer sincere affection over overly sentimental emotions.)

adj

1. wet, damp