xanh lét
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely pale green; a sickly, pallid green: Describes a color that is an intense, often unnatural, and somewhat unpleasant shade of green, frequently associated with a lack of health or vitality.
- Ghastly pale; ashen (of complexion): Used figuratively to describe a person's face that has turned very pale due to fear, shock, illness, or nausea, taking on a greenish tinge.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Lá cây bị bệnh có màu xanh lét. (The diseased leaves have a sickly pale green color.)
- Nghe tin đó, mặt cô ấy tái xanh lét. (Hearing that news, her face turned ghastly pale.)
- Bức tường được sơn một màu xanh lét khó chịu. (The wall was painted an unpleasant, pallid green.)
Advanced Usage
- The term "xanh lét" often carries a negative connotation, implying something is unnaturally colored, unhealthy, or indicative of fright. It is stronger and more vivid than the neutral "xanh nhạt" (light green).
Variants and Related Words
- Xanh lè (adj): A dialectal variant with the same meaning as "xanh lét."
- Xanh mét (adj): Describes an extreme, sickly pallor (often greenish) of the face, very similar in usage to the figurative sense of "xanh lét."
- Tái xanh (adj): To turn pale with a greenish hue.
Synonyms
- Sickly green
- Ghastly pale
- Ashen
- Pallid
- Wan
Related Idioms
- Mặt xanh lét như tàu lá: Face as pale/green as a banana leaf (a common simile to describe extreme fear or sickness).
- Sợ hãi, anh ấy đứng im với mặt xanh lét như tàu lá. (Terrified, he stood still with a face as pale as a banana leaf.)