dim; gloomy; bleak
Tone colorsmāmámǎmàma
Meanings
3 senses · 6 examplesadjective
dim; faint; not bright
literaryDescribes weak or insufficient light, often creating a somber atmosphere.
Là蜡
zhú烛
de的
huǒ火
guāng光
zài在
fēng风
zhōng中
yáo摇
yè曳
，
biàn变
dé得
shí十
fēn分
àn黯
dàn淡
。
The candle flame flickered in the wind and grew very dim.
Zhè这
zhǎn盏
lǎo老
jiù旧
de的
tái台
dēng灯
fā发
chū出
de的
guāng光
shì是
àn黯
dàn淡
de的
huáng黄
sè色
。
The light from this old desk lamp is a dim yellow.
adjective
dull; not vivid; lacking luster
Used to describe colors that are faded, muted, or lack brightness and intensity.
Zhè这
fú幅
huà画
tuì褪
sè色
yán严
zhòng重
，
sè色
cǎi彩
yǐ已
jīng经
shí十
fēn分
àn黯
dàn淡
。
This painting has faded severely, and its colors have become very dull.
Tā他
chuān穿
zhuó着
sè色
diào调
guò过
yú于
àn黯
dàn淡
de的
yī衣
fu服
，
xiǎn显
dé得
méi没
yǒu有
jīng精
shen神
。
He wore clothes with overly muted tones and appeared listless.
adjective
bleak; gloomy; hopeless
formalUsed metaphorically to describe situations, prospects, or futures that seem unpromising or dire.
Zài在
jīng经
jì济
wēi危
jī机
de的
chōng冲
jī击
xià下
，
xǔ许
duō多
háng行
yè业
de的
qián前
jǐng景
xiǎn显
dé得
àn黯
dàn淡
。
Under the impact of the economic crisis, the prospects for many industries appear bleak.
Miàn面
duì对
lián连
chuàn串
de的
shī失
bài败
，
tā他
duì对
wèi未
lái来
gǎn感
dào到
yī一
piàn片
àn黯
dàn淡
。
Facing a series of failures, he felt the future was utterly gloomy.