chồn hôi
Definition
- Noun:
- Skunk: A small, black and white mammal, known for its ability to spray a strong-smelling liquid as a defense mechanism.
- Polecat: In some contexts, it can refer to related mustelids, such as the European polecat, which also emit a foul odor.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- Chồn hôi thường hoạt động về đêm. (Skunks are usually nocturnal.)
- Mùi của chồn hôi rất khó chịu. (The smell of a skunk is very unpleasant.)
- Con chồn hôi đã phun chất lỏng để tự vệ. (The skunk sprayed liquid to defend itself.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is used specifically in zoology and general description. It is a compound noun where "chồn" refers to a general weasel-like animal and "hôi" means "smelly" or "foul-smelling," directly describing its primary characteristic.
Variants and Related Words
- Chồn (n): A general term for various small carnivorous mammals like weasels, ferrets, or martens.
- Chồn sương có bộ lông rất quý. (The stone marten has very valuable fur.)
Synonyms
- Skunk: The primary equivalent in American English.
- Polecat: A common equivalent in British English for related species.
Related Idioms
- While there are no direct idioms with "chồn hôi," the animal is culturally referenced for its powerful, unpleasant smell. A related concept is:
- Thối như chồn hôi: (Smelly as a skunk) – An informal simile describing something or someone with a very bad odor.