Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Flashy; gaudy; tawdry: Having many bright, clashing, or overly showy colors that are not harmonious, creating an unpleasant or tasteless visual effect. It describes something that is ostentatious and lacks aesthetic refinement.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cô ấy mặc bộ váy màu loè loẹt. (She is wearing a flashy/gaudy dress.)
  • Căn phòng được trang trí bằng những màu sắc loè loẹt. (The room is decorated with tawdry colors.)
  • Anh ta không thích những bức tranh loè loẹt. (He doesn't like gaudy paintings.)

Advanced Usage

• "Ăn mặc loè loẹt": to dress in a flashy/gaudy manner.

  • Một số người trẻ thích ăn mặc loè loẹt để thu hút sự chú ý. (Some young people like to dress flashily to attract attention.)

• "Màu sắc loè loẹt": flashy/garish colors.

  • Quảng cáo đó sử dụng màu sắc loè loẹt khiến người xem khó chịu. (That advertisement uses garish colors that make viewers uncomfortable.)

Variants and Related Words

• Loè (verb): to dazzle, to flash (often used for light or deceptive appearances).
  • Ánh đèn loè lên trong đêm. (The light flashed in the night.)
• Loá (adjective): glaring, dazzling (intensely bright).
  • Ánh nắng loá mắt. (The sunlight is glaring/dazzling.)

Synonyms

• Sặc sỡ: colorful, multicolored (can be neutral or slightly negative, but less harsh than "loè loẹt").
• Chói lọi: dazzling, glaring (emphasizes intense brightness).
• Hoa hoè hoa sói (idiom): overly ornate, fussy (used for overly elaborate decoration or style).

Related Idioms and Phrases

• "Loè đời" or "Loè thiên hạ": to show off, to try to impress people (often with something flashy or deceptive).
  • Anh ta mua chiếc xe đắt tiền chỉ để loè đời. (He bought an expensive car just to show off.)

Notes on Meaning and Connotation

The word "loè loẹt" carries a strong negative connotation. It criticizes a lack of taste, subtlety, and harmony. It is not simply "colorful" but implies that the colors are excessive, clashing, and used in a cheap or vulgar attempt to be eye-catching. It can describe clothing, decoration, advertising, or any visual presentation.

adj

1. flashy; gandy; tawdry