Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of venomous snake: "hổ lửa" refers to a specific species of venomous snake, characterized by its distinctive red, flame-like bands or coloration.
   • Common name for the Malayan krait or banded krait: In zoological terms, it is a common Vietnamese name for snakes of the Bungarus genus, particularly those with bright banding.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Người dân trong làng rất sợ khi thấy hổ lửa. (The villagers were very afraid when they saw the Malayan krait.)
  • Hổ lửa là một trong những loài rắn độc nguy hiểm ở Việt Nam. (The banded krait is one of the dangerous venomous snakes in Vietnam.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is primarily used in biological, zoological, or general descriptive contexts when discussing local wildlife, dangers in rural areas, or snake species in Southeast Asia.

Variants and Related Words

• Rắn hổ lửa: A more complete term, explicitly meaning "hổ lửa snake". This is the full, standard name.
  • Anh ta bị rắn hổ lửa cắn. (He was bitten by a banded krait.)
• Bongare à anneaux (French loanword in older texts): The French zoological term, meaning "krait with rings".

Synonyms

• Rắn hổ: A more general term for "cobra" or elapid snakes, but contextually can refer to similar venomous snakes.
• Banded krait: The direct English translation of its common name.
• Malayan krait: A specific English name for .

Related Phrases

• Nọc độc hổ lửa: The venom of the banded krait.
  • Nọc độc hổ lửa tấn công hệ thần kinh. (Banded krait venom attacks the nervous system.)
• Vùng có hổ lửa: An area inhabited by banded kraits.
  • Hãy cẩn thận khi đi trong vùng có hổ lửa. (Be careful when walking in areas with banded kraits.)

Related Idioms

• While there are no common idioms that use the exact term "hổ lửa", snakes in general appear in Vietnamese idioms about danger or betrayal (e.g., "nuôi ong tay áo, nuôi cáo trong nhà, nuôi hổ lửa sau lưng" – to nurture a bee in the sleeve, a fox in the house, a fiery tiger behind one's back, meaning to harbor a dangerous traitor). Note: This idiom uses "hổ lửa" metaphorically, not referring to the snake.

1. xem rắn hổ lửa