nhiu nhíu
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slightly wrinkled or crinkled: Describes a surface, often skin or fabric, that has many small, fine, and often irregular folds or creases. It implies a state of being not smooth, but the wrinkles are typically small and not deeply set.
- Frowning slightly: Describes the appearance of the face, especially the brow or forehead, when it is lightly contracted or wrinkled due to concentration, worry, displeasure, or thought.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Trán cô ấy nhiu nhíu vì suy nghĩ. (Her forehead was slightly wrinkled in thought.)
- Tấm vải cũ đã nhiu nhíu. (The old piece of fabric was slightly crinkled.)
- Bé nhiu nhíu mắt lại dưới ánh nắng. (The baby squinted/slightly wrinkled its eyes in the sunlight.)
Advanced Usage
- The word nhiu nhíu often describes a temporary, subtle state rather than a permanent, deep condition. It is commonly used for expressive facial movements or delicate textures.
Variants and Related Words
- Nhíu (v): to furrow, to knit (e.g., brows). This is the root verb from which nhiu nhíu is derived, often through reduplication to form the adjective.
- Cô ấy nhíu mày. (She furrowed her brows.)
- Nhéo (v): to pinch; can lead to a wrinkled state.
- Nhăn (v, adj): to wrinkle; wrinkled. Nhăn often suggests more pronounced or deeper wrinkles than nhiu nhíu.
Synonyms
- Crinkled: having many small creases or wrinkles.
- Furrowed: (especially for brows) marked with lines or grooves.
- Knit: (for brows) brought together in a frown.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Nhiu nhíu mặt mày: to have a slightly frowning or displeased facial expression.
- Nghe tin đó, anh ấy nhiu nhíu mặt mày. (Hearing that news, he made a slightly frowning face.)