Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Smeared all over; dirtied; grimy: Describes something, typically a surface or body part, that is covered with many smudges, stains, or streaks of dirt, making it look messy and unclean.
   • Figuratively, morally tainted or sullied: Can describe a reputation or character that is considered stained or dishonored.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Sau khi sửa xe, mặt và tay anh ấy nhem nhuốc dầu nhớt. (After fixing the car, his face and hands were smeared all over with grease.)
  • Đứa trẻ chơi trong bùn và trở về với quần áo nhem nhuốc. (The child played in the mud and returned with clothes dirtied all over.)
  • Danh tiếng của ông ta trở nên nhem nhuốc sau vụ bê bối. (His reputation became sullied after the scandal.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "nhem nhuốc" often implies a state of being soiled in a way that is very visible, messy, and spread out, not just a single spot. It emphasizes the extent and unpleasant appearance of the dirt.

Variants and Related Words

• Lem luốc (adj): A near-synonym meaning smeared, smudged, or dirty. is often considered interchangeable with .
  • Cô bé vẽ tranh và bị lem luốc màu. (The little girl painted and got smudged with color.)

Synonyms

• Smeared: Covered with a layer or streaks of a substance.
• Grimy: Covered with ingrained dirt.
• Sullied: Made dirty or dishonored.
• Besmirched: Damaged the reputation of; made dirty.

Related Idioms

• Mặt mũi nhem nhuốc: A common phrase meaning "to have a face smeared all over." It can be used literally or figuratively to imply shame or loss of face.
  • Thua trận đó, đội bóng ra về với mặt mũi nhem nhuốc. (Losing that match, the football team left with their faces sullied [i.e., in disgrace].)

1. Smeared all over
   • Mặt mũi nhem nhuốc
     To have a face smeared all over