Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Violent, cruel: Describes a person, animal, or action that is extremely aggressive, fierce, and shows a readiness to cause harm or suffering. It implies a brutal and savage nature.
   • Ferocious, savage: Conveys a sense of wild, untamed aggression and a terrifying appearance or demeanor.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Con hổ đó trông rất hung tợn. (That tiger looks very ferocious.)
  • Hắn ta có một bản tính hung tợn. (He has a violent/cruel nature.)
  • Kẻ cướp đã dùng những hành động hung tợn để đe dọa nạn nhân. (The robber used violent actions to threaten the victim.)

Advanced Usage

• "mặt mày hung tợn": having a fierce/violent-looking face.
  • Tên tội phạm có mặt mày hung tợn khiến ai cũng sợ hãi. (The criminal had a fierce-looking face that frightened everyone.)
• "thú dữ hung tợn": a ferocious wild beast.
  • Những con thú dữ hung tợn đang săn mồi trong rừng. (The ferocious wild beasts are hunting in the forest.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hung dữ (adj): fierce, ferocious. (Often used similarly but may imply a slightly less extreme level of cruelty than "hung tợn").
  • Con chó giữ nhà rất hung dữ. (The guard dog is very fierce.)
• Tàn bạo (adj): brutal, cruel. (Focuses more on cruelty and brutality of actions).
  • Hành động tàn bạo của kẻ xâm lược. (The brutal actions of the invaders.)
• Dữ tợn (adj): fierce, ferocious. (Very close in meaning, often used interchangeably with "hung tợn").
  • Ánh mắt dữ tợn. (A fierce glare.)

Synonyms

• Bạo lực (adj/n): violent.
• Ác độc (adj): malicious, wicked.
• Man rợ (adj): barbaric, savage.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Hùng hổ như cọp": (To be) as fierce as a tiger. This idiom describes someone acting in a very aggressive and intimidating manner.
  • Anh ấy hùng hổ như cọp khi tranh luận. (He was as fierce as a tiger during the argument.)
• "Dữ như cọp": (To be) as fierce as a tiger. Similar to the above, emphasizing ferocity.
  • Bà chủ quán dữ như cọp khi có khách không trả tiền. (The shop owner was as fierce as a tiger when a customer didn't pay.)

adj

1. violent, cruel