bều bệu
Definition
- Adjective:
- Rather flabby, somewhat puffy, slightly swollen: Describes a state of being somewhat soft, loose, and swollen, often due to excess fat or fluid, but not to an extreme degree. It implies a noticeable but moderate lack of firmness.
Usage
- This word is used to describe the physical appearance of flesh, skin, or facial features that appear soft, puffy, and lacking tightness. It often carries a slightly negative or unflattering connotation.
- It is typically used in informal or descriptive contexts.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Sau khi ngủ dậy, mặt cô ấy trông hơi bều bệu. (After waking up, her face looked rather flabby/puffy.)
- Đôi má bầu bĩnh của em bé đã nhăn nheo, bều bệu khi em khóc. (The baby's chubby cheeks became wrinkled and puffy when he cried.)
- Da của anh ấy bắt đầu chảy xệ và trông bều bệu vì thiếu tập thể dục. (His skin started to sag and look flabby due to lack of exercise.)
Advanced Usage
- The word 'bều bệu' is an example of a Vietnamese reduplicative word (từ láy), where the base 'bệu' is repeated with a tonal and initial consonant change to create a nuanced meaning. This form often softens the intensity, suggesting "somewhat" or "rather" flabby compared to the stronger 'bệu'.
- It can be used metaphorically in rare cases to describe something soft and formless, like overcooked food.
Variants and Related Words
- Bệu (adj): The root word, meaning flabby, puffy, swollen. It is stronger and more direct than 'bều bệu'.
- Thịt mỡ bệu. (Flabby fat.)
- Phềnh phệnh (adj): Plump, chubby. Focuses more on roundness and size rather than lack of firmness.
- Nhão nhoét (adj): Mushy, pulpy. Often used for food or substances that have lost their solid form.
- Sệ xuống (verb phrase): To sag, to droop down. Describes the action rather than the state.
Synonyms
- Hơi phù nề: Slightly edematous/swollen (more medical).
- Hơi xệ: Somewhat saggy.
- Ọp ẹp (informal): Flabby, not firm.
Antonyms
- Săn chắc: Firm, tight.
- Căng mịn: Taut, smooth.
- Gọn gàng: Neat, trim.
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Rather flabby
