khăn khẳn

Thân thiện

Mẹ giặt chiếc áo bị dính bùn cho thật khăn khẳn.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Slightly bitter, having a sharp and somewhat unpleasant taste: Describes a taste that is not fully bitter but has a distinct, sharp, and slightly acrid edge, often found in certain unripe fruits, some herbs, or medicinal brews.
   • Slightly harsh, sharp, or acerbic in tone or manner: Can describe a person's attitude, words, or expression that is somewhat sharp, curt, or lacking warmth.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Quả hồng này còn khăn khẳn, chưa ăn được. (This persimmon is still slightly bitter/astringent, not ready to eat.)
  • Vị thuốc nam này khăn khẳn nhưng rất tốt. (This herbal medicine has a slightly bitter taste but is very good for you.)
  • Anh ấy trả lời một cách khăn khẳn, không muốn nói chuyện. (He answered in a slightly curt/sharp manner, not wanting to talk.)
  • Nét mặt cô ấy lúc nào cũng khăn khẳn với người lạ. (Her expression is always somewhat sharp/harsh with strangers.)

Advanced Usage

• "giọng nói khăn khẳn": a slightly sharp or curt tone of voice.
  • Nghe giọng nói khăn khẳn của anh ta, tôi biết anh ta đang không vui. (Hearing his slightly sharp tone, I knew he was unhappy.)
• "vị khăn khẳn nơi đầu lưỡi": the slightly bitter taste on the tip of the tongue.
  • Sau khi uống trà, tôi cảm nhận vị khăn khẳn nơi đầu lưỡi. (After drinking the tea, I felt a slightly bitter taste on the tip of my tongue.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khẳn (adj): The root word, meaning bitter, harsh, or severe. "Khăn khẳn" is a reduplicative form (từ láy) of "khẳn," softening its intensity to mean "slightly" bitter or harsh.
  • Thuốc này vị khẳn lắm. (This medicine has a very bitter taste.)
• Chát (adj): Astringent, tart (often used for taste). It can be similar but "chát" usually refers more to a dry, puckering sensation (like unripe banana), while "khăn khẳn" emphasizes a sharp, slightly bitter edge.
  • Quả ổi này còn chát. (This guava is still astringent.)

Synonyms

• Hơi đắng: slightly bitter.
• Hơi chát: slightly astringent/tart.
• Cộc cằn: brusque, curt (for manner; stronger than "khăn khẳn").
• Lạnh lùng: cold, aloof (for manner).

Notes on Meaning

• Primary Meaning (Taste): The core meaning relates to a specific sensory taste—a sharp, lightly bitter, and somewhat unpleasant flavor, distinct from pure sweetness, sourness, or full bitterness.
• Figurative Meaning (Manner): When describing a person's demeanor, it implies a lack of softness or friendliness, conveying a sense of sharpness or slight irritation, but not to the extreme of being openly hostile or very rude.

Học thuật

1. xem khẳn (láy)