hôi mốc
Definition
- Adjective:
- Musty, moldy-smelling: Describes an unpleasant odor characteristic of dampness, decay, or things that are old, stale, and have not been aired out, often due to the presence of mold or mildew.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Căn phòng để lâu ngửi thấy hôi mốc. (The room that has been closed for a long time smells musty.)
- Quần áo để trong túi ẩm bốc mùi hôi mốc. (The clothes left in the damp bag gave off a moldy smell.)
- Cuốn sách cũ có mùi hôi mốc. (The old book has a musty odor.)
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used to describe the smell of objects, rooms, or fabrics that have been stored in humid, poorly ventilated conditions, leading to fungal growth.
Variants and Related Words
- Mốc (adj): moldy, mildewed. This word focuses on the visual or physical presence of mold, whereas specifically describes the smell.
- Bánh mì bị mốc. (The bread is moldy.)
Synonyms
- Musty: Having a stale, damp, and unpleasant smell.
- Moldy: Smelling of or like mold.
- Fusty: Smelling stale, damp, or stuffy.
Related Idioms
- While itself is not typically part of a fixed idiom, it is commonly used in descriptive phrases to emphasize neglect or age, such as "" (the musty smell of time).