Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Spotted, dotted: Describes a surface or object that has many small, distinct spots or dots scattered across it. These spots are usually of a different color or shade than the base surface.
   • Freckled, speckled: Can describe a pattern resembling freckles or fine specks.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chiếc lá có những đốm lấm chấm màu nâu. (The leaf has small brown spots scattered on it.)
  • Bầu trời đêm lấm chấm sao. (The night sky is dotted with stars.)
  • Quả chuối chín đã bắt đầu lấm chấm đen. (The ripe banana is starting to get small black spots.)

Advanced Usage

• "lấm chấm" vs. "lốm đốm": While both mean spotted, "lấm chấm" often implies smaller, finer, and more densely packed dots, whereas "lốm đốm" can describe larger, more distinct, and sometimes irregular patches.

  • Vải hoa văn lấm chấm trắng. (Fabric with a fine white dotted pattern.)
  • Con báo có bộ lông lốm đốm. (The leopard has a coat with large spots.)

• Describing textures or conditions:

  • Mặt anh ấy lấm chấm mồ hôi. (His face is dotted with sweat beads.)
  • Tường bị lấm chấm nấm mốc. (The wall is speckled with mold.)

Variants and Related Words

• Lấm tấm (adj): Very similar to "lấm chấm", often used interchangeably. It can also imply an even finer, almost powdery or dewy speckling.

  • Mặt đường lấm tấm nước mưa. (The road is dotted with fine raindrops.)

• Chấm (n): A dot, spot, or point. This is the root noun from which "lấm chấm" is derived.

  • Đánh dấu bằng một chấm đỏ. (Mark it with a red dot.)

Synonyms

• Có đốm: Having spots.
• Lốm đốm: Spotted, dappled (often with larger spots).
• Hoa cà hoa cải: (Idiomatic) Having a mixed, spotted appearance, often untidy.

Related Phrases

• Lấm chấm như sao: Dotted like stars (a common simile).
  • Áo đầm đen lấm chấm như sao. (The black dress is dotted like stars.)

Related Idioms

• Lấm chấm hoa tay: Literally "speckled fingertips". This is not a common idiom for the hands but illustrates the descriptive use. A more standard idiom for a similar scattered concept is "lác đác" (sparse, scattered), though it is not a direct synonym.
  • Mưa rơi lác đác. (The rain is falling sparsely.)

adj

1. spotted, dotted