nhem nhuốc
[ɲɛm˧˧ ɲuək̚˧˦]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(adjective) Northern Vietnam form of lem luốc (“smudged, smeared”)
Where it’s used:
Used
Miền Bắc · Northern Vietnam
• Wiktionary labels this sense “Northern”
Examples
Anh ngước mắt nhìn lên: Khuôn mặt nhem nhuốc bụi than của Hà Thương đang nghiêng chao xuống người anh với cái nhìn thật lạ…He looked up; Hà Thương's face, smudged with dust and soot, was bowed over him with a really strange look in her eyes…
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Common questions
What does “nhem nhuốc” mean?
(adjective) Northern Vietnam form of lem luốc (“smudged, smeared”)
Is “nhem nhuốc” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.