Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Lacking strong flavor; bland; insipid: Describes food or drink that has little saltiness, sweetness, or pronounced taste.
   • Light; pale: Describes a color that is not deep or intense; a faint or washed-out hue.
   • Lacking warmth or depth;冷淡; unenthusiastic: Describes behavior, emotions, or artistic works that are平淡, indifferent, or fail to evoke strong feelings.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Taste):
  • Món canh này hơi nhạt. (This soup is a bit bland.)
  • Cà phê nhạt quá, không có vị. (The coffee is too weak; it has no flavor.)
• Adjective (Color):
  • Cô ấy thích màu xanh nhạt. (She likes the color light blue.)
  • Áo cũ đã nhạt màu. (The old shirt has faded.)
• Adjective (Emotion/Impact):
  • Buổi tiệc diễn ra khá nhạt. (The party was rather dull.)
  • Lời phê bình của anh ấy nghe rất nhạt. (His criticism sounded very lukewarm.)

Advanced Usage

• "nhạt nhẽo": An intensified form meaning exceedingly bland, boring, or insipid in taste, color, or character.
  • Câu chuyện nhạt nhẽo khiến mọi người buồn ngủ. (The insipid story made everyone sleepy.)
• "nhạt như nước ốc": An idiom literally meaning "as bland as snail water," used to emphasize something is completely tasteless or utterly boring.
  • Món ăn ở đây nhạt như nước ốc. (The food here is completely flavorless.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nhạt dần (v): to fade gradually, to become pale or bland over time.
  • Tình cảm của họ đã nhạt dần. (Their affection for each other has faded gradually.)
• Nhạt màu (adj): faded in color.
  • Tranh treo lâu ngày bị nhạt màu. (The painting hung for a long time has become faded.)

Synonyms

• Bland / Insipid: lacking taste (for food).
• Pale / Light: not bright or intense (for color).
• Lukewarm /冷淡 /平淡: lacking enthusiasm or emotional depth.

Related Idioms

• Nhạt phai: to fade away, often used for feelings, memories, or colors losing their intensity.
  • Kỷ niệm thời trẻ đã nhạt phai. (Memories from youth have faded away.)
• Ăn nhạt: to eat a low-salt diet.
  • Bác sĩ bảo ông ấy phải ăn nhạt. (The doctor told him he must eat a low-salt diet.)

adj

1. insipid; not salted