bạc thạch
Definition
- Adjective:
- Faded to a pale, whitish-grey color: Describes something, typically fabric or a surface, that has lost its original color due to prolonged exposure to sunlight, washing, or age, resulting in a pale, ashen, or whitish-grey appearance. This is the primary and most common meaning.
- Dull, lacking luster: Can describe something that has become dull or lost its shine and vibrancy.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Tấm vải bạt này đã phai màu thành bạc thạch sau nhiều năm phơi nắng. (This canvas has faded to a pale grey after years of sun exposure.)
- Bức tường sơn màu xanh giờ đã bạc thạch. (The blue-painted wall has now faded to a dull grey.)
- Mái tóc của ông ấy đã bạc thạch theo thời gian. (His hair has turned silvery-grey over time.)
Advanced Usage
- Used figuratively to describe fading memories or vitality: While less common, it can be used metaphorically.
- Ký ức về tuổi thơ đã dần bạc thạch trong tâm trí ông. (Memories of his childhood have gradually faded to a pale grey in his mind.)
Variants and Related Words
- Bạc phếch (adjective): A near-synonymous variant with the same meaning of "faded to a pale, whitish color." The terms are often used interchangeably.
- Chiếc áo cũ bạc phếch. (The old, faded shirt.)
- Phai màu (verb phrase): To fade, to lose color.
- Bạc (adjective): Silver; can also mean grey (hair) or faded in some contexts, but is a broader term.
Synonyms
- Phai lạt: Faded, washed-out.
- Xám xịt: Dull grey, gloomy (often for weather or mood, but can describe color).
- Nhợt nhạt: Pale, pallid.
Notes on Usage
- "Bạc thạch" is primarily a descriptive adjective for color and condition, not an object. It is not a compound noun for a type of stone or material.
- It often carries a connotation of age, wear, and the passage of time.
- Commonly used to describe textiles (clothes, curtains, flags), painted surfaces, or hair.