Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Intensely blue or green; vividly blue or green: "biêng biếc" is a reduplicative word (láy) derived from "biếc," describing a deep, rich, and often pure shade of blue or green, typically seen in nature (like the sky, sea, or lush vegetation). It emphasizes the intensity and vividness of the color.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bầu trời mùa hè trong xanh biêng biếc. (The summer sky is a clear, intense blue.)
  • Lá cây mùa xuân có màu xanh biêng biếc. (The spring leaves have a vivid green color.)
  • Màu nước biển ở đảo thật là biêng biếc. (The color of the sea water on the island is truly a deep azure.)

Advanced Usage

• Poetic and literary use: "biêng biếc" is primarily used in literary, poetic, or descriptive contexts to evoke a sense of beauty, purity, and depth in nature. It is less common in everyday spoken language.
  • Đôi mắt cô ấy long lanh một màu xanh biêng biếc. (Her eyes sparkled with a deep, vivid blue.) (Note: This is a poetic description, as eye color is not typically described this way in standard Vietnamese.)

Variants and Related Words

• Biếc (Adjective): The root word meaning blue or green (often a dark or deep shade). "Biêng biếc" is its reduplicative form, which intensifies the meaning.
  • Màu áo dài ấy xanh biếc. (That áo dài is a deep blue/green.)
• Xanh biếc (Phrase): A common phrase meaning "deep blue/green."
  • màu xanh biếc của đại dương (the deep blue of the ocean)

Synonyms

• Xanh thẳm: deep blue, profound blue (often for sky or sea).
• Xanh lơ: light blue, azure (but less intense than "biêng biếc").
• Xanh ngắt: pure, unblemished blue (often for sky).

Notes on Meaning

• Color Scope: While "biếc" and "biêng biếc" can describe both blue and green, the specific hue is usually determined by context (e.g., sky = blue, leaves = green). In modern usage, it more frequently denotes shades of blue.
• Lexical Form: As indicated in the reference ("biêng biếcxem biếc"), "biêng biếc" is a reduplicative variant. Its core meaning and usage are identical to "biếc," but with added emphasis on the color's vividness and depth.

1. xem biếc (láy)