暗淡 (àn dàn) — (of light) dim, faint; (of color) dull, drab; (… | TongTong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

adjective

(of light) dimfaint(of color) dulldrab(figurative) gloomybleak

Examples

暗淡，。
Dēng guāng tài àn dàn le, wǒ kàn bù qīng shū shàng de zì.
The light is too dim—I can't see the words on the book clearly.
暗淡，。
Zhè jiàn yī fu de yán sè hěn àn dàn, bú shì hé nǐ.
The color of this clothing is too dull; it doesn't suit you.
暗淡。
Tā duì wèi lái de qián jǐng gǎn dào àn dàn.
He feels bleak about the prospects for the future.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

联合liánhéCoordinate

Two parts of equal weight, alike or opposite in meaning, standing side by side.

暗 (dim) and 淡 (pale) combine to describe weak light or washed-out color.

Characters in this word

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

日音暗

Meaning part形符xíngfú

日日rìsun

Sound part声符shēngfú

音

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

暗 pairs 日 (sun) with 音, which gives the sound.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

氵炎淡

Meaning part形符xíngfú

氵Written in full as水shuǐwater

Sound part声符shēngfú

炎

炎yán淡dàn

The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

淡 puts 氵 (water) beside 炎, which gives the sound yán.

Appears in

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