Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly moist, damp, or dewy: Describes a state of being gently wet or damp, often due to sweat, humidity, or light moisture. It implies a soft, not soaking, wetness.
   • Having a light sheen of perspiration: Commonly used to describe skin that is glistening with a fine layer of sweat, often from heat, light exertion, or humidity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Trán anh ấy dâm dấp mồ hôi sau khi chạy bộ. (His forehead was damp with sweat after jogging.)
  • Lá cây buổi sáng sớm còn dâm dấp sương. (The leaves in the early morning were still dewy.)
  • Không khí trong phòng tắm còn dâm dấp hơi nước. (The air in the bathroom was still damp with steam.)

Advanced Usage

• "dâm dấp mồ hôi": This is the most common collocation, specifically meaning "damp/glistening with sweat."
  • Cô ấy bước vào, hai má còn dâm dấp mồ hôi. (She walked in, her cheeks still glistening with sweat.)
• Used to evoke a sensory, often physical, description in literature or daily conversation to depict mild moisture.

Variants and Related Words

• Ẩm ướt (adj): Wet, damp, humid. This is a more general and stronger term for wetness.
• Ướt đẫm (adj): Soaking wet, drenched. Indicates a much higher degree of wetness.
• Lấm tấm (adj): Sprinkled with, speckled with (e.g., sweat, rain, freckles). Can be similar but often refers to visible droplets.

Synonyms

• Hơi ẩm: Slightly humid/moist.
• Ướt nhẹ: Lightly wet.
• Lấp lánh mồ hôi: Glistening with sweat (more descriptive).

Related Phrases

• Đẫm mồ hôi: Soaked with sweat. This is a stronger phrase indicating being drenched in sweat, unlike the mild "dâm dấp."

1. Moist, damp (usually with sweat)