Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a sharp, pungent, and slightly acrid smell or taste: Describes a strong, penetrating, and often unpleasant odor or flavor, typically associated with certain spices, herbs, or burnt substances. It implies a sensory quality that is both intense and irritating to the nose or palate.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Mùi khói từ đám cháy rừng thật hăng hắc. (The smoke from the forest fire had a sharp, acrid smell.)
  • Vị của loại gia vị này hơi hăng hắc, không phải ai cũng thích. (The taste of this spice is slightly pungent and acrid, not everyone likes it.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe abstract sensations: Can be used metaphorically to describe an atmosphere, feeling, or situation that feels harsh, biting, or unpleasantly intense.
  • Bầu không khí trong phòng họp thật hăng hắc sau cuộc tranh cãi. (The atmosphere in the meeting room was sharp and acrid after the argument.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hắc (adj): Pungent, acrid. The root word from which "hăng hắc" is derived as a reduplicative.
• Hăng (adj): Pungent, strong (often for smell/taste), fervent, enthusiastic (for demeanor). "Hăng hắc" intensifies the "hăng" quality, focusing on the acrid aspect.
• Hôi hắc (adj): Foul-smelling, stinking. Shares the root "hắc" but combined with "hôi" (smelly) to indicate a rotten or putrid odor.

Synonyms

• Cay nồng: Pungent and hot (often for spices like chili).
• Hôi: Smelly, foul.
• Xộc vào mũi: (Phrase) To hit/sting the nose (describing a strong smell).

Notes on Usage

• "Hăng hắc" is a reduplicative word (từ láy): It is formed by repeating and modifying the root "hắc". Reduplicatives often intensify the meaning or add a descriptive nuance. In this case, "hăng hắc" conveys a more vivid and intense sense of acridity than the root "hắc" alone.
• Common Contexts: Most frequently used to describe smells (of smoke, certain medicines, strong herbs) or tastes. It carries a negative connotation of being overpowering or unpleasant.
• Distinction from "Hăng": While "hăng" can mean strong/pungent (e.g., the smell of durian) or enthusiastic/fervent (e.g., a fervent worker), "hăng hắc" specifically denotes an acrid, sharp, and irritating quality and is not used for demeanor.

1. xem hắc (láy)