Definition

1. Noun:
   • A seasoning mixture: "muối tiêu" refers to a dry condiment blend consisting of ground black pepper and salt, commonly used in Vietnamese cuisine.
   • A hair color pattern: Figuratively, "muối tiêu" describes hair that is a mixture of black and white strands, resembling the speckled appearance of the seasoning.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Seasoning):
  • Món thịt nướng này cần chấm với muối tiêu. (This grilled meat needs to be dipped in pepper-and-salt mix.)
  • Cô ấy rắc một ít muối tiêu lên trái cây. (She sprinkled a little pepper-and-salt mixture on the fruit.)
• Noun (Hair Color):
  • Mái tóc muối tiêu của ông ấy trông rất lịch sự. (His pepper-and-salt hair looks very distinguished.)
  • Dù tóc đã điểm muối tiêu, bà ấy vẫn rất trẻ trung. (Even though her hair is peppered with gray, she still looks very youthful.)

Advanced Usage

• "Đầu đã điểm muối tiêu": A poetic phrase meaning one's hair has begun to turn gray, indicating middle age or the passage of time.
  • Thuở thanh xuân đã qua, giờ đầu đã điểm muối tiêu. (The days of youth have passed; now my hair is peppered with gray.)

Variants and Related Words

• Muối (n): Salt.
  • Muối là gia vị cơ bản. (Salt is a basic seasoning.)
• Tiêu (n): Pepper (typically black pepper).
  • Tiêu đen thường được xay nhỏ. (Black pepper is usually ground.)
• Hỗn hợp gia vị (n): Seasoning blend.
  • Đây là một hỗn hợp gia vị đặc biệt. (This is a special seasoning blend.)

Synonyms

• Gia vị chấm (n): Dipping sauce/seasoning. (Note: This is a broader term for condiments used for dipping.)
• Tóc hoa râm (n): Graying hair. (This is a more common and direct synonym for the hair color meaning.)

Related Phrases

• Muối tiêu chanh: A common extended mixture that includes pepper, salt, and lime juice, often used as a dipping sauce for seafood.
  • Tôm hấp ngon nhất khi chấm muối tiêu chanh. (Steamed shrimp is best when dipped in pepper-salt-lime sauce.)

Related Idioms

• (Không directly applicable): The term "muối tiêu" itself is often used descriptively rather than in fixed idiomatic expressions. The advanced usage "đầu đã điểm muối tiêu" functions as a common metaphorical phrase.

1. Pepper and salt
2. Pepper-and-salt hair