xâm xẩm
Definition
- Adjective:
- Dusky; twilight: Describes the dim, low-light condition of early evening, just after sunset or before complete darkness.
- Gloomy; murky: Refers to a place or atmosphere that is dark, shadowy, and lacking in clear light.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Trời bắt đầu xâm xẩm tối. (It was beginning to get dusky.)
- Căn phòng xâm xẩm, khó nhìn rõ mọi vật. (The room was gloomy, making it hard to see things clearly.)
- Anh ấy về nhà lúc trời xâm xẩm. (He returned home at twilight.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is often used poetically or descriptively to evoke a specific mood or time of day. It is less common in formal, technical writing.
Variants and Related Words
- Sâm sẩm: A variant form with identical meaning (dusky, gloomy).
- Trời sâm sẩm, sắp mưa. (The sky was murky, and it was about to rain.)
Synonyms
- Dusky: Characterized by partial darkness.
- Twilight: The soft, diffused light from the sky when the sun is below the horizon.
- Gloomy: Dark or poorly lit, especially in a way that feels depressing.
- Murky: Dark and gloomy, especially due to thick mist or shadows.
Related Idioms
- Xâm xẩm tối: An idiomatic phrase meaning "dusk is falling" or "it's getting dark."
- Xâm xẩm tối rồi, nên về thôi. (It's getting dark; we should go home.)