The Vietnamese word "hoăng" refers to a strong, pervasive smell, often unpleasant, like that of something rotten or decayed. It is commonly used to describe the odor of spoiled food, particularly fish.
In more advanced contexts, "hoăng" can be used figuratively to describe anything that has a pervasive negative influence or feeling, not just smells. For example, you might say: - "Không khí trong phòng này hoăng." - Translation: "The atmosphere in this room is suffocating (has a pervasive negative feeling)."
While primarily associated with smells, "hoăng" can also convey a sense of overwhelming presence, much like the word "pervasive" in English, though this usage is less common.
"Hoăng" is a useful word in Vietnamese for describing unpleasant smells, especially those associated with decay.