mềm nhũn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely soft and yielding to the touch: Describes a state of being very soft, flaccid, and lacking firmness, often to the point of being mushy or pulpy. It implies a loss of original structure or firmness.
- Figuratively weak-willed or spineless: Describes a person's character as being excessively pliant, lacking in resolve, principle, or backbone.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (Physical State):
- Trái cây để lâu đã mềm nhũn. (The fruit left for too long has become mushy.)
- Đất sét này mềm nhũn quá, khó nặn. (This clay is too soft and pulpy, it's hard to mold.)
- Adjective (Character Trait):
- Anh ta là người mềm nhũn, không dám đưa ra quyết định. (He is a spineless person, not daring to make a decision.)
Advanced Usage
- Used to describe abstract concepts that lack strength or definition.
- Kế hoạch của họ còn mềm nhũn, thiếu chi tiết cụ thể. (Their plan is still weak and mushy, lacking specific details.)
Variants and Related Words
- Mềm (adj): Soft. The root word, denoting a general state of softness without the extreme connotation of "nhũn."
- Bánh này rất mềm. (This cake is very soft.)
- Nhũn (adj, less common alone): Pulpy, mushy. Often combined with "mềm" for emphasis.
- Mềm yếu (adj): Soft and weak. Can describe both physical objects and character, with a focus on weakness.
Synonyms
- Mushy: Soft and wet in a messy way.
- Pulpy: Having a soft, wet consistency.
- Flaccid: Soft, loose, and lacking firmness.
- Spineless: Lacking courage or determination (for character).
Antonyms
- Cứng (adj): Hard, firm.
- Rắn chắc (adj): Solid, sturdy.
- Cứng rắn (adj): Firm, resolute (for character).
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Mềm như bún: As soft as rice noodles. An idiom emphasizing extreme softness, often physical.
- Con gấu bông này mềm như bún. (This teddy bear is as soft as noodles.)