hoen gỉ
Definition
- Adjective:
- Stained and rusty: Describes an object, typically metal, that is both discolored with dirty marks (stained) and covered with the reddish-brown flaky coating caused by oxidation (rusty). It implies a state of decay, neglect, or age due to exposure.
- Tarnished and corroded: Can describe something that has lost its luster and purity, both physically and metaphorically, often suggesting deterioration from a former better state.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Chiếc hộp sắt cũ để ngoài vườn đã hoen gỉ. (The old iron box left in the garden was stained and rusty.)
- Lưỡi dao hoen gỉ không thể dùng được nữa. (The stained and rusty knife blade could no longer be used.)
- Những ký ức về sự kiện đó giờ đã hoen gỉ trong tâm trí anh. (Memories of that event are now tarnished in his mind.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used metaphorically to describe abstract concepts that have become degraded, impure, or less vivid over time.
- Danh tiếng của ông ấy đã bị hoen gỉ bởi scandal. (His reputation was tarnished by the scandal.)
Variants and Related Words
Gỉ sét (n/adj): Rust; rusty. Focuses specifically on the rust component.
- Cần cẩu thận với những phần gỉ sét. (Be careful with the rusty parts.)
Ố vàng (v/adj): To become yellowed or stained; discolored. Often used for paper, fabric, or surfaces.
- Những trang sách cũ đã ố vàng. (The pages of the old book had yellowed.)
Synonyms
- Corroded: Eaten away or worn, especially by chemical action.
- Tarnished: Lost brightness or became stained, especially metal; also used for reputation.
- Weathered: Worn by long exposure to the elements.
Related Idioms and Phrases
Hoen ố: A related phrase combining "hoen" (stain) and "ố" (discoloration), emphasizing a state of being dirty, stained, or morally blemished.
- Bức tường trắng giờ đầy những vết hoen ố. (The white wall is now full of stains.)
Gỉ màu: To fade in color; to become discolored.
- Tấm áp phích để ngoài nắng đã gỉ màu. (The poster left in the sun has faded.)
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Stained and rusty
