xám xịt
Definition
- Adjective:
- Dull, dark gray; leaden: Describes a color that is a very dark, dull, or gloomy shade of gray, often resembling the color of lead or a heavily overcast sky. It conveys a sense of darkness, dullness, and often unpleasantness.
- Gloomy, dismal: Used figuratively to describe an atmosphere, mood, or appearance that is depressing, bleak, or lacking brightness.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Bầu trời xám xịt. (The sky is leaden/gloomy.)
- Nước da anh ấy trông xám xịt vì mệt mỏi. (His complexion looked sallow/dull from fatigue.)
- Căn phòng với những bức tường xám xịt. (The room with its dull gray walls.)
Advanced Usage
- Figurative Use: Can describe non-visual concepts to imply failure, poor quality, or a bleak outcome.
- Triển vọng công việc trông thật xám xịt. (The job prospects look very bleak.)
- Thành tích của đội bóng trong mùa giải thật xám xịt. (The football team's performance this season has been dismal.)
Variants and Related Words
- Xám (adj): Gray. A more neutral, general term for the color gray.
- Xám xỉu (adj): A less common variant with a similar meaning of dark, dull gray.
- Âm u (adj): Gloomy, overcast (often for weather or atmosphere). A close synonym for the figurative sense.
Synonyms
- Leaden: Having the dull, heavy gray color of lead.
- Dismal: Depressingly dark, gloomy, or bleak.
- Sallow: (For complexion) Of a sickly, yellowish-gray color.
- Gloomy: Dark or poorly lit, especially in a way that feels depressing.
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Xám xịt như chì: (As gray/dull as lead) Emphasizes the heavy, metallic gray quality.
- Mặt biển xám xịt như chì trước cơn bão. (The sea was as leaden as lead before the storm.)
- Tương lai xám xịt: A bleak future.
- Cô ấy cảm thấy tương lai thật xám xịt. (She felt the future was very bleak.)
adj
-
leaden
