หมอง

Explanation

The core image of หมอง is the loss of an original brightness or luster. It can describe dull skin, dingy fabric, muted color, or dim light; it also extends to a gloomy face or troubled heart. Figuratively, it can describe tarnished honor or reputation. Like many Thai words describing states, หมอง can function directly as a predicate: ผิวหมอง may mean either “dull skin” or “the skin is dull,” depending on context. Some dictionaries also record a colloquial noun meaning “brain,” but that use is not common or important enough for most learners to treat as a separate sense.

Usage

In everyday speech, หมอง is often used for a dull complexion, white clothing that has become dingy, colors that have lost their vividness, or a sad-looking face. Expressions such as หมองใจ describe a troubled or unhappy state of mind. Its use for damaged honor or reputation is more common in news reports, formal statements, and literary writing.

Caution

หมอง does not merely mean dark; it usually implies an undesirable loss of brightness, luster, or cheerfulness. Directly telling someone ผิวหมอง or หน้าหมอง can sound like a negative comment about their skin or appearance, so use it tactfully.

1 dull synonyms

• มัว

  mua cloudy

  มัว commonly describes blurred, hazy, or unclear vision. หมอง focuses more on a loss of brightness, clarity, or luster in a color, light, complexion, or surface.

• หม่น

  mòn dull (in color)

  หม่น describes a dark, muted, or somber tone. หมอง more often suggests that something has lost its former brightness or luster.