Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Dirty, grimy, smudged: Describes a state of being covered with dirt, dust, or stains, often on the face or body, giving a messy or unclean appearance.
   • Sooty, grubby: Specifically refers to being marked with soot, ash, or similar dark substances.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sau khi chơi đá bóng dưới mưa, mặt mũi đứa trẻ lọ lem hết. (After playing soccer in the rain, the child's face was all dirty.)
  • Cô bé thức dậy với khuôn mặt lọ lem vì khóc. (The little girl woke up with a grimy face from crying.)
  • Tay chân lọ lem bùn đất. (Hands and feet grubby with mud.)

Advanced Usage

• Used figuratively to imply moral stain or disrepute: While less common, it can be used metaphorically to suggest a tarnished reputation.
  • Danh tiếng của hắn đã bị lọ lem vì vụ bê bối. (His reputation was tarnished because of the scandal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lấm lem (adj): Also means dirty or smudged, often used interchangeably with "lọ lem."
  • Áo quần lấm lem bùn đất. (Clothes smeared with mud.)
• Nhem nhuốc (adj): Dirty, filthy, squalid; often implies a more severe or morally degraded state of dirtiness.
  • Căn phòng nhem nhuốc. (The squalid room.)

Synonyms

• Bẩn (adj): Dirty, unclean. (A more general and common term for dirty.)
• Nhơ nhuốc (adj): Filthy, soiled. (Often carries a stronger connotation of moral filth or disgrace.)

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Cô bé Lọ Lem: Cinderella. This is the most famous usage, directly translating to "The dirty/ash-covered girl," referring to the fairy tale character.
  • Câu chuyện về Cô bé Lọ Lem rất nổi tiếng. (The story of Cinderella is very famous.)
• Mặt mũi lọ lem: A common phrase meaning "a dirty/grubby face."
  • Đi làm vườn về, mặt mũi anh ấy lọ lem. (Returning from gardening, his face was grimy.)

adj

1. dirty