Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fade, to lose color: The process by which the color of an object becomes less bright or vivid, often due to exposure to light, washing, or time. It describes the color itself "flying away" or dissipating.
   • To run, to bleed (color): When the dye or color from one material transfers to another, especially in water (e.g., during washing).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Áo phông đỏ này đã bay màu sau nhiều lần giặt. (This red t-shirt has faded after many washes.)
  • Tranh treo dưới ánh nắng trực tiếp sẽ rất dễ bay màu. (Paintings hung in direct sunlight will easily fade.)
  • Cẩn thận, quần jeans mới này có thể bay màu ra các đồ giặt chung. (Be careful, this new pair of jeans might bleed its color onto other laundry.)

Advanced Usage

• "làm bay màu": to cause to fade, to bleach.
  • Ánh nắng mặt trời có thể làm bay màu vải rất nhanh. (Sunlight can cause fabric to fade very quickly.)
• Used figuratively to describe something losing its distinctiveness or impact over time.
  • Ký ức về sự kiện đó đã dần bay màu theo năm tháng. (The memory of that event has gradually faded over the years.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phai màu (verb): A very close synonym meaning "to fade." Often used interchangeably with bay màu, though phai màu is slightly more common for natural fading over time.
• Bạc màu (adjective): Describes the state of being faded or discolored.
  • Chiếc áo đã bạc màu vì dùng lâu ngày. (The shirt has become faded from long use.)

Synonyms

• Fade (verb): to lose brightness or color gradually.
• Discolor (verb): to change or lose color.
• Run (verb - for dye): (of a color or dye) to spread or bleed.

Related Phrases

• Thuốc bay màu / Thuốc tẩy: Bleach (a substance used to remove color).
  • Không dùng thuốc tẩy lên vải màu. (Do not use bleach on colored fabric.)

1. Fade