Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Sullen, dull, gloomy: Describes a state of being sad, dejected, and lacking in energy or brightness. It often implies a quiet, inward, and prolonged sadness that affects one's demeanor or appearance.
   • Somber, melancholy: Conveys a dark, gloomy, or pensive mood, often reflected in a person's facial expression or the atmosphere of a place.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Khuôn mặt anh ấy trông thật ủ dột sau tin buồn. (His face looked very sullen after the bad news.)
  • Thời tiết âm u khiến tâm trạng mọi người đều ủ dột. (The gloomy weather made everyone's mood melancholy.)
  • Cô ấy ngồi ủ dột một mình trong góc phòng. (She sat gloomily alone in the corner of the room.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe both people's moods/appearances and atmospheres (e.g., weather, settings).
• Often implies a visible, lingering sadness rather than a fleeting emotion.

Variants and Related Words

• Ủ rũ (adj): droopy, listless, downcast; often used for plants, animals, or people appearing physically wilted or spiritless.
  • Cây cối ủ rũ vì hạn hán. (The plants are droopy because of the drought.)

Synonyms

• Gloomy: dark or poorly lit, especially in a way that causes depression.
• Melancholy: a feeling of pensive sadness, typically with no obvious cause.
• Sullen: bad-tempered and sulky; gloomy.
• Dejected: sad and depressed; dispirited.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Tâm trạng ủ dột: a gloomy state of mind.
  • Mấy ngày nay cô ấy cứ giữ mãi tâm trạng ủ dột. (She has maintained a gloomy state of mind for days now.)
• Không khí ủ dột: a somber atmosphere.
  • Một không khí ủ dột bao trùm căn nhà. (A somber atmosphere enveloped the house.)

adj

1. sullen, dull, gloomy