Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Sultry, stifling, oppressive: Used primarily to describe weather or an atmosphere that is uncomfortably hot, humid, and lacking fresh air, causing physical discomfort.
   • Restless, pent-up, agitated: Used to describe a state of mental or emotional discomfort, feeling constrained, frustrated, or unable to express oneself freely.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Weather/Atmosphere):

  • Thời tiết hôm nay thật bức bối. (The weather today is truly sultry.)
  • Căn phòng nhỏ, đóng kín cửa, khiến ai cũng cảm thấy bức bối. (The small room with closed doors made everyone feel stifled.)

• Adjective (Emotional State):

  • Anh ấy cảm thấy bức bối vì không thể giải thích được sự thật. (He felt pent-up because he couldn't explain the truth.)
  • Sự chờ đợi kéo dài gây ra một cảm giác bức bối khó chịu. (The prolonged waiting caused an uncomfortable feeling of agitation.)

Advanced Usage

• The word can be used metaphorically to describe social or political climates that feel restrictive and tense.
  • Bầu không khí chính trị lúc đó vô cùng bức bối. (The political atmosphere at that time was extremely oppressive.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bức (adj): hot, pressing. Often used in combination but can imply heat or pressure on its own.
• Ngột ngạt (adj): stifling, suffocating. A close synonym often used interchangeably with "bức bối" for both literal and figurative meanings.

Synonyms

• Sultry / Stifling / Oppressive: For describing hot, humid, airless conditions.
• Restless / Agitated / Pent-up: For describing a constrained mental or emotional state.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Lòng dạ bức bối: A pent-up heart/feelings; describes deep-seated restlessness or frustration.
  • Mâu thuẫn không được giải quyết khiến lòng dạ bức bối. (The unresolved conflict left him with a pent-up heart.)
• Cảm giác bức bối: A feeling of being stifled or agitated.
  • Cô ấy không nói ra, nhưng cảm giác bức bối hiện rõ trên mặt. (She didn't say it, but the feeling of agitation was clear on her face.)

adj

1. Sultry
   • thời tiết bức bối
     the weather was sultry