tì ố
Definition
Noun:
- A stain; a blemish; a spot: A mark of dirt, discoloration, or impurity that spoils the appearance or purity of something, often with a moral connotation of disgrace or dishonor.
- A flaw; a defect: An imperfection that mars the quality or character of a person or thing.
Adjective:
- Stained; soiled; tarnished: Describing something that has been marked with a stain or blemish, often used figuratively to describe a damaged reputation or honor.
Usage Examples
Noun:
- Chiếc áo trắng có một tì ố không thể tẩy sạch. (The white shirt has an unremovable stain.)
- Đó là tì ố duy nhất trong sự nghiệp lẫy lừng của ông ấy. (That is the only blemish in his illustrious career.)
Adjective:
- Danh dự của dòng họ bị tì ố vì vụ bê bối. (The family's honor was tarnished by the scandal.)
- Tấm lòng trong sáng, không tì ố. (A pure heart, without stain.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used in formal, literary, or moral contexts to describe damage to one's character, reputation, or honor, rather than just physical stains.
- It can be used in legal or ethical discussions to denote a mark of corruption or misconduct.
Variants and Related Words
- Vết nhơ (n): A synonym for a stain or disgrace, often with a strong moral implication.
- Vết bẩn (n): A more general term for a physical stain or dirt mark.
Synonyms
- Stain: A mark that is difficult to remove.
- Blemish: A small flaw that spoils appearance.
- Tarnish: To lose or cause to lose luster, especially of a metal or reputation.
- Blot: A dark mark or stain, often metaphorical.
- Sully: To damage the purity or integrity of.
Related Idioms
- Mang tì ố: To bear a stain/blot.
- Anh ta không muốn mang tì ố vào thân. (He does not want to bear a stain on himself.)
- Làm tì ố thanh danh: To tarnish one's good name.
- Hành động đó đã làm tì ố thanh danh của cả công ty. (That action tarnished the good name of the entire company.)