Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Atrocious, extremely cruel and violent: Describes a person, group, or action characterized by extreme brutality, ferocity, and a lack of mercy.
   • Savage, barbarous: Conveys a sense of wild, unrestrained violence and inhumanity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Bọn cướp hung bạo đã tấn công ngôi làng. (The atrocious bandits attacked the village.)
  • Chúng không thể tha thứ cho hành động hung bạo đó. (They could not forgive that savage act.)
  • Chế độ đó nổi tiếng vì sự hung bạo. (That regime is infamous for its brutality.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe heinous crimes, oppressive regimes, or exceptionally cruel individuals. It carries a stronger moral condemnation than words like "dữ tợn" (fierce) or "bạo lực" (violent).
• Can be used attributively (đứng trước danh từ) or predicatively (đứng sau động từ "là").

Variants and Related Words

• Hung ác (adj): Cruel, ferocious. (Focuses more on cruel nature).
• Tàn bạo (adj): Brutal, cruel. (Very close synonym, often used together with "hung bạo" for emphasis: "hung bạo và tàn bạo").
• Hung dữ (adj): Fierce, ferocious. (Often used for animals or a fierce temper).
• Bạo chúa (n): Tyrant. (A ruler who is "hung bạo").
• Bạo hành (n/v): Violence/to abuse. (Refers to violent acts).

Synonyms

• Độc ác: Malicious, wicked.
• Dã man: Barbaric, inhuman.
• Tàn ác: Cruel, brutal.

Related Idioms/Phrases

• Hung bạo như thú dữ: As savage as a wild beast. (Emphasizes animalistic brutality).
• Bàn tay hung bạo: The brutal/violent hand. (Refers to the perpetrator of violent acts).

1. Atrocious, violent