Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Sallowish, having a pale yellowish or sickly complexion: Describes a person's skin color, typically on the face, that appears unnaturally pale, yellowish, or lacking healthy color, often suggesting poor health, fatigue, or illness.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sau trận ốm, mặt cô ấy trông hơi bung bủng. (After the illness, her face looked somewhat sallowish.)
  • Anh ấy làm việc quá sức nên da mặt bung bủng, thiếu sức sống. (He overworked himself, so his facial skin is sallowish and lacks vitality.)

Advanced Usage

• This word is primarily descriptive and is often used in contexts related to health, appearance, or physical condition. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying an undesirable or unhealthy pallor.

Variants and Related Words

• Bủng: This is the root or a shortened, more colloquial form of "bung bủng," carrying the same core meaning of a sickly, pale complexion.
  • Mặt nó bủng ra vì sợ. (His face turned pale with fear.)

Synonyms

• Tái mét: Very pale, ashen (often from shock or fear).
• Xanh xao: Pale and wan, pallid (often from sickness or weakness).
• Vàng vọt: Having a sickly yellow pallor.

Notes on Meaning

• "Bung bủng" specifically refers to a complexion that is both pale and has a slight, unhealthy yellowish tinge ("sallow"). It is distinct from simply being pale ("tái" or "xanh") and often implies a longer-term or more ingrained condition related to health.

1. Sallowish