Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Acrid, pungent (of smell or taste): Describes a strong, sharp, and often unpleasant odor or flavor that rises sharply to the nose or palate.
   • Frisky, spirited, energetic (of animals or people): Describes a state of being lively, vigorous, and full of energy, often with a sense of eagerness or enthusiasm.
   • Ardent, zealous, fervent (of attitude or action): Describes doing something with great intensity, passion, or competitive drive.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (Acrid smell/taste):

  • Mùi hành tây sống rất hăng. (The smell of raw onions is very acrid.)
  • Vị của loại mù tạt này quá hăng. (The taste of this mustard is too pungent.)

• Adjective (Frisky, energetic):

  • Con ngựa non trông thật hăng. (The young horse looks very frisky.)
  • Bầy chó con chạy nhảy hăng quá. (The pack of puppies is running around too energetically.)

• Adjective (Ardent, zealous):

  • Anh ấy là một cầu thủ thi đấu rất hăng. (He is a player who competes very fervently.)
  • Cô ấy làm việc với tinh thần hăng hái. (She works with a zealous spirit.)

Advanced Usage

• "hăng hái": enthusiastic, eager. (Note: This is a common compound. The core meaning of "hăng" contributes intensity to the eagerness.)

  • Sinh viên mới tham gia các hoạt động rất hăng hái. (The new students participate in activities very enthusiastically.)

• "hăng máu" / "lên máu hăng": to be in a fierce, aggressive, or reckless mood (often in competition or argument).

  • Đừng có hăng máu mà gây sự với người ta. (Don't get recklessly aggressive and pick a fight with them.)

• "nói hăng": to speak heatedly or aggressively.

  • Anh ta nổi nóng và bắt đầu nói hăng. (He got angry and started speaking heatedly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hăng hái (adj): enthusiastic, eager. This is the most common compound form.
• Hăng say (adj): passionately absorbed, fervent (e.g., in work, study).
  • Anh ấy hăng say nghiên cứu. (He researches passionately.)
• Hăng máu (adj/phrase): recklessly aggressive, hot-blooded in the moment.

Synonyms

• Nồng (adj): strong, intense (often for smell, but can also mean deep feelings). Focuses more on strength than sharpness.
• Sôi nổi (adj): lively, animated. Focuses on lively activity rather than intense drive.
• Nhiệt tình (adj): enthusiastic, wholehearted. Focuses more on warm-hearted willingness.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Làm hăng (v): to incite, to stir up (someone's enthusiasm or aggression).
  • Lời nói của huấn luyện viên làm hăng cả đội lên. (The coach's words stirred up the whole team.)

Related Idioms

• Hăng như trâu lội: as fierce/energetic as a buffalo crossing water. (Emphasizes great, sometimes brute, force and energy.)
  • Đội bóng thi đấu hăng như trâu lội. (The football team played with brute force and energy.)

adj

1. fresh; frisky (hosre); acrid (smell)