Definition

1. Verb:
   • To change colour: To undergo a noticeable change in the colour of one's face, typically due to a sudden, strong emotion such as fear, shock, anger, or embarrassment. This often implies turning pale (losing colour) or flushing (turning red).

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Nghe tin dữ, mặt anh ta lập tức biến sắc. (Upon hearing the bad news, his face immediately changed colour.)
  • Kẻ gian biến sắc vì biết có người nhận ra mình. (The criminal changed colour, aware that he had been recognized.)
  • Sợ quá, nó biến sắc. (So scared, he changed colour/turned pale.)

Advanced Usage

• The term is almost exclusively used to describe a sudden, involuntary change in a person's complexion as an outward physical reaction to an internal emotional state. It is rarely used for objects changing colour.

Synonyms

• To turn pale: To become lighter in skin tone, especially from fear or shock.
• To go white/ashen: To become very pale.
• To flush: To become red in the face, typically from emotion.
• To change countenance: A more formal phrase for a change in facial expression or colour.

Related Idioms

• Mặt tái mét / tái xanh: (Idiomatic) To turn deathly pale; to go ashen. This is a stronger, more specific result of "biến sắc".
  • Thấy cảnh tượng kinh hoàng, cô ấy mặt tái mét. (Seeing the horrifying scene, she turned deathly pale.)

verb

1. To change colour
   • mặt biến sắc
     face changes colour
   • kẻ gian biến sắc vì biết có người nhận ra mình
     the criminal changed colour aware that he had been recognized