tảng tảng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Dim, faint, pale: Describes light, especially dawn or dusk light, that is not yet bright or has faded to a soft, subdued level. It often refers specifically to the first weak light of morning or the last fading light of evening.
- Vague, indistinct: Can describe something perceived unclearly or without sharp definition, similar to how dim light obscures clear vision.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Trời mới tảng tảng sáng, mọi người đã dậy đi làm. (The sky was just faintly light, everyone was already up for work.)
- Ánh đèn trong phòng tảng tảng, không đủ để đọc sách. (The light in the room was dim, not enough to read a book.)
- Chỉ nhìn thấy bóng người tảng tảng trong sương mù. (Only a vague figure could be seen dimly in the fog.)
Advanced Usage
- "tảng tảng sáng": This common collocation specifically means "at the crack of dawn" or "at first light," describing the moment when the sky begins to lighten.
- Chúng tôi khởi hành lúc trời tảng tảng sáng. (We departed at the crack of dawn.)
Variants and Related Words
- Tang tảng (adj): An alternate spelling or pronunciation with the same meaning of "dim" or "faint."
- Mờ mờ (adj): dim, blurry, indistinct.
- Lờ mờ (adj): faint, hazy, obscure.
Synonyms
- Dim: Lacking in brightness or clarity.
- Faint: Barely perceptible.
- Pale: Light in color or intensity; weak.
- Indistinct: Not clear or sharply defined.
Related Idioms
- Tảng tảng mặt người: Describes a face that is pale, lacking color, or looking unwell.
- Sau trận ốm, anh ấy trông tảng tảng mặt người. (After the illness, he looked pale-faced.)