xám ngoét
Definition
- Adjective:
- Extremely pale or ashen (complexion): Describes a face or skin that has lost its normal color, appearing very pale, often due to shock, fear, illness, or exhaustion. It implies a sickly, grayish-white pallor.
- Dull, dingy gray: Can describe an object or color that is a very dull, lifeless, or faded shade of gray.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Nghe tin dữ, mặt anh ta tái đi, xám ngoét. (Hearing the bad news, his face turned pale, ashen.)
- Bức tường sơn màu xám ngoét trông thật ảm đạm. (The wall painted a dingy gray color looks really gloomy.)
- Sau trận ốm, da cô ấy xám ngoét. (After the illness, her skin was deathly pale.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "xám ngoét" is informal and often carries a negative connotation, emphasizing an unattractive, unhealthy, or depressing lack of color. It is stronger and more vivid than just "xám" (gray) or "tái" (pale).
Variants and Related Words
Xám xịt (adj): Also means dull, gloomy gray, often used for weather, skies, or atmospheres as well as colors.
- Bầu trời xám xịt trước cơn bão. (The sky was leaden gray before the storm.)
Tái mét (adj): Extremely pale (complexion), very similar in meaning and usage to "xám ngoét" when describing a face.
- Mặt đứa bé tái mét vì sợ hãi. (The child's face was ghastly pale from fear.)
Synonyms
- Ashen: Of a pale grayish color, like ashes.
- Livid: Discolored, as from a bruise, or pallid, as from fear or anger.
- Pallid: Pale, typically because of poor health.
- Wan: Pale and giving the impression of illness or exhaustion.
- Dingy: Dull, drab, or dirty in color.
Related Idioms
- Mặt xám ngoét như tàu lá chuối: (Face as pale as a banana leaf) – A simile emphasizing extreme paleness.
- Thấy cảnh tượng ấy, mặt nó xám ngoét như tàu lá chuối. (Seeing that scene, his face turned as pale as a sheet.)