Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Chalky, sickly white: Describes a pale, dull, and often unhealthy-looking white color, typically lacking vitality or brightness. It is commonly used to describe a person's complexion or skin tone that appears unnaturally pale, often due to illness, fear, or poor health.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nước da bệch. (A chalky complexion.)
  • Mặt trắng bệch ra. (A face turned sickly white.)

Advanced Usage

• The adjective bệch is often used in its reduplicated form bềnh bệch. This form carries a slightly attenuated or less intense meaning, often implying a degree of plumpness or softness combined with paleness, though the primary sense remains related to a pale, dull white.
  • Người mập bềnh bệch. (A plump and pale person.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bềnh bệch (adj, reduplicated form): Pale and somewhat plump or soft; having a muted, less vivid paleness.
  • Khuôn mặt bềnh bệch. (A round, pale face.)

Synonyms

• Tái nhợt (adj): Pale, pallid.
• Xanh xao (adj): Pale, wan (often with a greenish or sickly tint).
• Nhợt nhạt (adj): Faded, pale, lacking color.

Notes on Meaning

• bệch specifically denotes a type of white that is undesirable, associated with a lack of health or vibrancy. It is not used for pure, bright, or attractive white (which would be trắng). Its usage is almost exclusively related to complexion, skin color, or sometimes objects that share this dull, pale quality.

adj

1. Chalky, sickly white
   • nước da bệch
     a chalky complexion
   • mặt trắng bệch ra
     a sickly white face