คล้ำ
darkish
A native Thai recording for this word is on the way. Please check back soon.
- 1 darkish、swarthy、dull-colored、tanned
คล้ำ describes a color or appearance that looks dark, dull, or blackish rather than bright and clear. It is often used for skin tone, under-eye circles, lips, marks on the skin, and sometimes dark-looking colors or skies.
darkish、swarthy、dull-colored、tanned
Describes something as darkish, dull-colored, or swarthy in appearance.
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ผิวคล้ำ phǐw khlám dark or tanned skin ผิวคล้ำ details
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ใต้ตาคล้ำ tâay taa khlám dark circles under the eyes ใต้ตาคล้ำ details
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ริมฝีปากคล้ำ rim fǐi pàak khlám darkened lips ริมฝีปากคล้ำ details
Learning notes
Explanation
The core idea of คล้ำ is a dark, dull, or blackish appearance, often with less brightness or clarity. It is common in expressions like ผิวคล้ำ for dark or tanned skin and ใต้ตาคล้ำ for dark circles under the eyes. Compared with สีดำ, “black,” คล้ำ usually describes an appearance that looks darkened or dull rather than simply black.
Usage
This word is common in contexts about appearance, beauty, health, and color. It is used for skin tone, tanning, under-eye circles, darkened lips, marks on the skin, and also for objects or skies that look dark or dull.
Caution
Be careful when using it directly about someone’s skin or face, because it can sound like a judgment about appearance. A softer phrasing such as สีผิวค่อนข้างคล้ำ, “somewhat dark/tanned skin tone,” is often more tactful.