Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Soiled, sullied, grimy: Describes something that is dirty, stained, or smeared, often in a way that makes it look messy or unclean. It implies a state of being marked with dirt, grease, or other substances.
   • Messy, smudged: Can refer to something that is not clean and has become visually unappealing due to dirt or improper handling.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bức tường trắng giờ đã nhem nhúa vết bẩn. (The white wall is now soiled with stains.)
  • Đôi tay cậu bé nhem nhúa sau khi chơi ngoài vườn. (The boy's hands were grimy after playing in the garden.)
  • Trang sách bị nhem nhúa mực. (The page of the book was smudged with ink.)

Advanced Usage

• Used figuratively to describe reputation or character: While less common, it can be used metaphorically to imply something is tarnished or morally stained.
  • Danh tiếng của hắn đã bị nhem nhúa vì scandal. (His reputation was sullied by the scandal.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhem nhuốc (adj): A very close synonym, also meaning dirty, grimy, or squalid. It often carries a stronger connotation of filth or sordidness.
  • Căn phòng trọ trông thật nhem nhuốc. (The rented room looked really squalid.)
• Nhếch nhác (adj): Untidy, slovenly. Focuses more on disorder and lack of care than on dirtiness.
• Lem nhem (adj): Smeared, smudged (often used for things like makeup or writing).

Synonyms

• Bẩn: Dirty (general term).
• Dơ bẩn: Filthy, very dirty.
• Vấy bẩn: Stained, soiled (from being splashed or smeared).

Related Phrases/Idioms

• Nhem nhúa như mực tàu: (As dirty as Chinese ink) An idiom emphasizing something is very dirty or heavily stained.
  • Chiếc áo trắng giờ nhem nhúa như mực tàu. (The white shirt is now as dirty as Chinese ink.)

1. Soiled sullied