Definition

1. Intransitive Verb:

   • To flow out suddenly and forcefully, often in a stream or gush, typically from an opening or orifice. It describes a rapid, uncontrolled, and often violent expulsion of a liquid substance.
   • To gush out, to spurt out, to stream out.

2. Transitive Verb (used with 'ra'):

   • To cause (a substance, especially a liquid) to be expelled or vomited out forcefully. Often used in the construction "ộc ra" (to gush/vomit out).

Usage Examples

• Intransitive Verb:

  • Máu ộc ra. (Blood gushed out.)
  • Nước ộc từ vòi bị vỡ. (Water gushed from the broken pipe.)

• Transitive Verb (with 'ra'):

  • Anh ta ộc máu ra. (He vomited blood out violently.)
  • Con thuyền bị thủng và nước bắt đầu ộc vào. (The boat was punctured and water began to gush in.)

Advanced Usage

• "ộc ra": This is the most common phrasal construction. It emphasizes the action of something exiting forcefully.

  • Chất lỏng độc hại ộc ra từ nhà máy. (Toxic liquid gushed out from the factory.)

• Describing Intensity: The word inherently carries a sense of suddenness, force, and often a negative or alarming connotation. It is not used for gentle flows.

  • Lửa và khói ộc ra từ các cửa sổ. (Fire and smoke billowed out from the windows.)

Variants and Related Words

• Trào (ra) (v): To overflow, to well up. Suggests a rising and spilling over, but not necessarily as violent or focused as "ộc".
• Phun (ra) (v): To spurt, to spray, to eject. Can be used for liquids or gases under pressure (e.g., a fountain, a geyser). It can be more controlled than "ộc".
• Nôn (ra) (v): To vomit. Specifically refers to ejecting stomach contents through the mouth. "Ộc" can describe vomiting, but with a stronger emphasis on the forceful, gushing action.
• Ộc ạch (onomatopoeic, adj/adv): A reduplicative word describing a jerky, jolting motion or sound (e.g., of an old vehicle), unrelated to the liquid expulsion meaning of "ộc".

Synonyms

• Gush out: To flow out suddenly and in large quantities.
• Spurt out: To gush out in a sudden, forceful stream.
• Stream out: To flow out continuously and steadily, but can imply force.
• Vomit (forth) (for the transitive sense): To eject stomach contents forcibly.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Ộc ra: As shown above, this is the primary phrasal verb form. It can be used both transitively and intransitively.
  • Cơn giận ộc ra trong lời nói của anh ta. (His anger gushed out in his words.)

Related Idioms

• Máu ộc đằng miệng: A set phrase meaning "to vomit blood profusely." It vividly describes a severe medical symptom.
  • Sau cú đánh, nạn nhân máu ộc đằng miệng. (After the blow, the victim was vomiting blood profusely.)

1. Flow out, stream out
   • Máu ộc ra
     Blood flowed out