Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Astringent; Acrid; Bitter: Describes a sharp, dry, and puckering taste sensation, often associated with unripe fruit (like bananas or persimmons) or certain wines. It is not simply sour but causes a drying feeling in the mouth.
   • Harsh; Jarring (of sound): Describes a sharp, loud, metallic, and unpleasant sound, like metal striking metal.

2. Onomatopoeia (Interjection):

   • Clang!; Crack!; Snap!: A word that imitates the short, sharp, ringing sound of two hard objects hitting each other.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Taste):

  • Quả hồng này còn xanh nên ăn rất chát. (This persimmon is still green, so it tastes very astringent.)
  • Rượu vang đỏ này hơi chát. (This red wine is slightly tannic/bitter.)

• Adjective (Sound):

  • Tiếng sắt va vào nhau nghe thật chát chúa. (The sound of iron clashing together is really harsh.)
  • Âm thanh chát tai từ công trường. (The jarring sound from the construction site.)

• Onomatopoeia:

  • Chát! Một tiếng vỡ lớn. (Clang! A loud breaking sound.)
  • Nghe tiếng "chát" của dùi trống. (Hear the "crack" of the drumstick.)

Advanced Usage

• "chan chát": An intensified/reduplicative form.
  • As an adjective/adverb: Describes a continuous, repetitive, and irritating clanging sound or a persistently astringent taste.

    • Tiếng búa đập chan chát vào sắt. (The hammer clanged repeatedly against the iron.)
    • Vị chuối xanh chan chát. (The taste of the green banana is intensely astringent.)

Variants and Related Words

• Chát chúa (adj): Emphatically harsh and unpleasant (usually for sound).
• Chát lè (adj): Colloquial for very astringent or acrid.

Synonyms

• Astringent, Acrid, Tannic: For taste.
• Harsh, Jarring, Clanging, Metallic: For sound.
• Clang, Crack, Snap: For the onomatopoeic form.

Related Idioms

• Chát như chuối xanh: (As astringent as a green banana) – Used to describe something extremely astringent or, figuratively, a harsh, unpleasant statement.
• Nói chát: To speak in a sharp, curt, or cutting manner.
  • Đừng nói chát với khách hàng. (Don't speak curtly to the customer.)

1. Clang
   • đập đánh chát một cái
     to hit with a clang
   • tiếng búa đập trên đe nghe chan chát
     the hammer strikes the anvil with a series of loud clangs

adj

1. Acrid
   • quả chuối xanh chát lè
     the green banana tastes pretty acrid
   • chuối chát
     green banana (used as vegetable)
   • rượu chát
     red grape wine
   • chan chát
     rather acrid
2. nói về âm thanh) Clanging
   • súng nổ chát tai