Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Leaden; having a leaden or dull grayish-black complexion: Describes skin that is dark, dull, and sallow, often with a grayish or metallic cast, resembling the color of lead or iron. It implies an unhealthy, lackluster appearance.
   • Coarse and swarthy: Refers to skin that is both rough in texture and dark in color.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Làm việc vất vả dưới nắng nhiều năm khiến nước da anh ấy trở nên thiết bì. (Years of hard work under the sun made his complexion become leaden.)
  • Khuôn mặt thiết bì của người đàn ông thể hiện một cuộc sống đầy gian khó. (The man's swarthy and coarse face reflected a life full of hardship.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily literary or descriptive and carries a negative connotation, often used to depict poverty, sickness, exhaustion, or a life of intense labor.

Variants and Related Words

• Đen sạm (adj): sun-tanned, darkened. This is a more common and neutral term for darkened skin.
  • Da cô ấy đen sạm vì đi biển. (Her skin is tanned from going to the beach.)

Synonyms

• Leaden: of the dull gray color of lead.
• Swarthy: dark-complexioned.
• Sallow: (of a person's face or complexion) of an unhealthy yellow or pale brown color.
• Lusterless: lacking brightness or shine.

Related Idioms

• Mặt mày thiết bì: to have a leaden/dull face; to look very tired and unhealthy.
  • Sau trận ốm, anh ấy mặt mày thiết bì. (After the illness, he had a sallow, lifeless face.)

adj

1. leaden