Definition

1. Noun:

   • Stroke; line: A mark made by a drawing or writing instrument, such as a pen or brush. It refers to a single continuous movement that forms part of a character, drawing, or design.
   • Feature; trait: A distinctive or characteristic part of something, especially referring to the lines that form a person's facial features or the defining aspects of a situation.
   • Aspect; point: A key or salient detail in a description, argument, or narrative.

2. Adjective (informal, from French "net"):

   • Clear; sharp; distinct: Used to describe an image, sound, or outline that is well-defined and not blurry.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Stroke/Line):

  • Chữ "a" có mấy nét? (How many strokes does the letter "a" have?)
  • Họa sĩ vẽ một nét thẳng. (The artist draws a straight line.)

• Noun (Feature/Trait):

  • Cô ấy có những nét giống mẹ. (She has features that resemble her mother's.)
  • Nét mặt anh ấy rất vui. (His facial expression is very happy.)

• Noun (Aspect/Point):

  • Bài báo nêu vài nét chính của sự kiện. (The article outlines a few key points of the event.)

• Adjective (Clear):

  • Bức ảnh này chụp rất nét. (This photo was taken very sharply.)
  • Âm thanh nghe không được nét. (The sound doesn't sound clear.)

Advanced Usage

• "nét chữ": handwriting style; the character of one's pen strokes.

  • Nét chữ của cô giáo rất đẹp. (The teacher's handwriting is very beautiful.)

• "nét đặc trưng": distinguishing feature; characteristic trait.

  • Đây là nét đặc trưng của văn hóa Việt Nam. (This is a distinguishing feature of Vietnamese culture.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nét vẽ (n): a brushstroke; a drawn line.

  • Từng nét vẽ đều tinh tế. (Every brushstroke is refined.)

• Nét mặt (n): facial expression; countenance.

  • Nét mặt cô ấy lộ vẻ lo lắng. (Her face showed a worried expression.)

• Đậm nét (adj): prominent; bold; clearly defined.

  • Phong cách cá nhân được thể hiện đậm nét trong tác phẩm. (Personal style is prominently expressed in the work.)

Synonyms

• Stroke; line (for a mark).
• Feature; trait; characteristic (for a distinguishing aspect).
• Point; detail (for a key aspect).
• Clear; sharp; distinct (as an adjective).

Related Idioms

• Nét chấm phá: a stylistic touch; a defining detail that adds character (literally: a dot-and-dash stroke).

  • Câu chuyện có vài nét chấm phá hài hước. (The story has a few humorous stylistic touches.)

• Ghi lại một nét: to record a detail or impression.

  • Cuốn nhật ký ghi lại từng nét nhỏ của cuộc sống. (The diary records every small detail of life.)

noun

1. stroke; line (of pen); line
   • nét bút
     stroke of the pen
   • nét vẽ
     line of drawing