nhòe nhoẹt
Definition
- Adjective:
- Smeared, blurred, or messy: Describes something, typically writing, ink, or a wet surface, that has become indistinct, streaky, or dirty due to being rubbed, smudged, or mixed with moisture. It implies a state of being spoiled and unclear.
- Covered in smudges or blotches: Refers to a surface that is visibly marked with unsightly, often wet, stains or streaks.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Chữ viết mực bị nhòe nhoẹt vì mưa. (The ink writing was smeared because of the rain.)
- Tranh vẽ của đứa trẻ bị nhòe nhoẹt mầu nước. (The child's painting was blurred with watercolors.)
- Mặt nó nhòe nhoẹt nước mắt và son. (Her face was smeared with tears and lipstick.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used in a negative context to criticize a lack of neatness or care, resulting in a dirty or unreadable result.
- Bản báo cáo này nhòe nhoẹt, không thể đọc được. (This report is all smudged and unreadable.)
Variants and Related Words
- Nhòe (adj/verb): to blur, to become blurry. This is the root word, indicating the process or state of becoming indistinct.
- Chữ nhỏ quá, nhìn nhòe hết cả. (The text is too small; it all looks blurry.)
Synonyms
- Smeared: Spread messily over a surface.
- Blurred: Unclear and indistinct.
- Smudged: Marked with a dirty smear.
- Streaky: Marked with streaks.
Related Idioms
- While not a fixed idiom, the word is often used in the phrase "nhòe nhoẹt như mực đổ" (smeared like spilled ink) to emphasize a very messy, ruined state.
- Tờ giấy nhòe nhoẹt như mực đổ. (The paper was smeared as if ink had been spilled on it.)