Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Wrinkled up: Describes a surface, often skin, fabric, or paper, that is covered with many small, tight folds or creases, typically due to aging, compression, or being crumpled.
   • Crumpled: Refers to something that is crushed or pressed together, losing its smoothness and becoming creased.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Làn da của bà cụ đã nhăn nhúm vì tuổi tác. (The old woman's skin was wrinkled up with age.)
  • Tờ giấy bị vo tròn nên giờ nhăn nhúm. (The paper was crumpled into a ball so now it's all wrinkled.)
  • Chiếc áo cũ nhăn nhúm nằm trong vali. (The old shirt lay wrinkled up in the suitcase.)

Advanced Usage

• The word often carries a connotation of something being excessively or unattractively wrinkled, not just lightly creased. It can describe a face contorted with strong emotion, like disgust or pain.
  • Nghe tin đó, mặt anh ta nhăn nhúm lại. (Hearing that news, his face crumpled/wrinkled up.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhăn (adj/verb): To wrinkle; slightly wrinkled. A simpler, more general term for having wrinkles.

  • Cô ấy nhăn trán khi suy nghĩ. (She wrinkled her forehead while thinking.)

• Nhúm (verb): To pinch or gather a small amount. In "nhăn nhúm," it intensifies the meaning of "nhăn," suggesting many small gathers or wrinkles.

Synonyms

• Wrinkled: Having lines or folds.
• Creased: Marked with a line or fold.
• Crumpled: Crushed into irregular folds.
• Crinkled: Having many small, thin wrinkles.

Related Idioms

• Mặt nhăn nhó: A related phrase ("nhăn nhó") specifically for a face showing discomfort, pain, or displeasure.
  • Đứa trẻ mặt nhăn nhó khi uống thuốc. (The child made a grimace/puckered its face when taking medicine.)

1. Wrinkled up