Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Blurred and smudged: Describes something that is both unclear (blurred) and dirty or stained (smudged), often due to being wet or having something spilled on it. It emphasizes a messy, spoiled appearance.
   • Smeared and messy: Refers to writing, ink, paint, or similar substances that have run or spread, creating an untidy and illegible result.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Chữ viết bị nhoè nhoẹt vì mưa. (The handwriting was blurred and smudged because of the rain.)
  • Đứa trẻ làm đổ nước, khiến bức tranh nhoè nhoẹt hết. (The child spilled water, making the painting all smeared and messy.)
  • Trang sách cũ bị nhoè nhoẹt, khó đọc. (The page of the old book was smudged and blurry, making it hard to read.)

Advanced Usage

• Used figuratively: Can describe vague, unclear, or poorly defined ideas, plans, or statements.
  • Kế hoạch của họ còn nhoè nhoẹt, chưa có chi tiết rõ ràng. (Their plan is still vague and unclear, lacking specific details.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhòe (adj/verb): To blur, to become blurry. This is the root word. "Nhoè nhoẹt" is a reduplicative form that intensifies the meaning, adding a sense of messiness or dirtiness.
  • Nước mắt làm nhòe dòng chữ. (Tears blurred the line of text.)
• Lem nhem (adj): Smudged, smeared (often with dirt or color). A close synonym focusing on the dirty, stained aspect.
  • Mặt em bé lem nhem bùn đất. (The baby's face was smeared with mud.)

Synonyms

• Mờ nhạt: Faint, pale, indistinct (focuses more on lack of clarity than physical mess).
• Bết dính: Smeared and sticky (emphasizes a sticky, adherent quality).

Related Phrases

• Làm nhoè nhoẹt: To cause something to become blurred and smudged.
  • Đừng chạm tay ướt vào, sẽ làm nhoè nhoẹt mực. (Don't touch it with wet hands, you'll smudge the ink.)

Related Idioms

• (Ý kiến/Quan điểm) nhoè nhoẹt: Used to criticize an opinion or viewpoint that is ambiguous, inconsistent, or lacks a clear stance.
  • Bài phát biểu của anh ta toàn những quan điểm nhoè nhoẹt. (His speech was full of vague and unclear viewpoints.)

1. xem nhòe