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杂色斑驳
zá sè bān bó
mottled and variegated
岩石表面斑斑点点，杂色斑驳，显示出岁月的沧桑。
The surface of the rock is speckled and mottled, showing the vicissitudes of time.
formal
Having irregular patches of different colors or shades; dappled with varied hues.
这块布料杂色斑驳，看起来年代久远。
This fabric is mottled with different colors, suggesting it's very old.
老城区的墙壁上，斑驳的油漆和杂色的涂鸦交织在一起。
On the walls of the old district, peeling paint and variegated graffiti intertwine.
Often used to describe surfaces like walls, fabrics, rocks, or animal fur with uneven coloration.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Visual Context is Key
This phrase is almost always used to describe physical surfaces (e.g., walls, fabrics, animal fur). It’s rarely used metaphorically for abstract ideas like emotions or thoughts.
Gold Rule
Avoid Overuse
Since '杂色斑驳' is a vivid descriptive phrase, overusing it can make writing sound clichéd. Use it sparingly for emphasis.
Word Origin
杂色 ('杂' = mixed, '色' = color) + 斑驳 ('斑' = speckled, '驳' = variegated). The phrase combines two adjectives describing irregular coloration, emphasizing the patchy, uneven distribution of hues.
Usage Notes
Commonly used in artistic, literary, or descriptive contexts to evoke a sense of age, decay, or natural variation. Avoid using for abstract concepts; it primarily describes visual textures.
Word Breakdown
杂色
mixed colors; variegated hues
compound斑驳
mottled; irregular patches of color
compound汉英词典