淡淡的 (dàn dàn de) — faint, light, subtle (of color, smell, taste, sound, or emotion)

Definition

Adjective meaning 'faint, light, subtle' — used for colors, smells, tastes, sounds, and emotions that are gentle rather than strong. The 的 makes it an adjective that can directly modify a noun.

adjective
faintlightsubtle (of color, smell, taste, sound, or emotion)

Examples

  • 淡淡的。
    Kōng qì zhōng yǒu yì gǔ dàn dàn de de huā xiāng.
    There is a faint floral scent in the air.
  • 淡淡的。
    Tā liǎn shàng lù chū dàn dàn de de wēi xiào.
    A faint smile appeared on her face.
  • 淡淡的。
    Wǒ xǐ huan chuān dàn dàn de de lán sè yī fu.
    I like wearing light blue clothes.

Origin

Reduplicated word
构词法gòucífǎ
重叠chóngdiéReduplication

A syllable said twice — for affection, for softness, or simply because that is how the word is said.

淡淡faint
淡dànfaint淡dànfaint
的dedescriptive particle

The two 淡 give a light, subtle quality, and 的 completes the common descriptive form.

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.

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.

Open 淡 →

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

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.

Open 淡 →

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

Meaning part形符xíngfú
白白báiwhite
Sound part声符shēngfú
勺
勺sháo的de
The sound has drifted apartThe sound part was a clue two thousand years ago — it often still helps, but not always.

的 pairs 白, related to white or brightness, with 勺, which gives a clue to the sound. Its older form 旳 meant bright.

Open 的 →

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