xinh xắn
Definition
- Adjective:
- Pretty and delicate; cute and charming: Describes a person, object, or place that is attractive in a small, neat, and pleasingly delicate way. It often implies a sense of daintiness and well-kept charm.
- Neat and tidy; pleasingly arranged: Can describe something that is not only attractive but also orderly and aesthetically pleasing in its compactness.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Cô bé ấy rất xinh xắn. (That little girl is very cute and pretty.)
- Cô ấy có một ngôi nhà xinh xắn ở ngoại ô. (She has a charming little house in the suburbs.)
- Chiếc ví này trông thật xinh xắn. (This wallet looks really neat and cute.)
Advanced Usage
- The word often carries a more delicate and petite connotation than the broader adjective "xinh đẹp" (beautiful). It is frequently used to describe things that are small-scale, finely made, or neatly presented.
Variants and Related Words
Xinh (adj): Pretty, lovely. A shorter, more general form.
- Cô ấy vừa xinh vừa thông minh. (She is both pretty and smart.)
Xinh đẹp (adj): Beautiful. A stronger and more formal term than "xinh xắn."
- Cô ấy là một người phụ nữ xinh đẹp. (She is a beautiful woman.)
Synonyms
- Cute: Attractive in a pretty or endearing way.
- Charming: Pleasant and attractive, often with a sense of delight.
- Neat: Tidy and in good order; pleasingly simple and precise.
- Dainty: Delicately small and pretty.
Related Idioms
- Xinh xắn như búp bê: As pretty as a doll. Used to describe someone, often a child or young woman, who is exceptionally neat and cute in appearance.
- Đứa trẻ mặc váy mới, xinh xắn như búp bê. (The child in a new dress is as pretty as a doll.)