Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Growling, snarling: Describes a low, guttural, and threatening sound made by an animal, especially a dog, to express anger, aggression, or a warning. It can also describe a person's voice or expression that conveys similar hostility or suppressed rage.
   • Grumbling, muttering angrily: Can describe the act of speaking in a low, angry, and discontented tone.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Con chó nhìn tôi với vẻ mặt hầm hừ. (The dog looked at me with a growling/snarling expression.)
  • Anh ấy trả lời bằng một giọng hầm hừ đầy tức giận. (He answered in a growling/grumbling voice full of anger.)
  • Đừng có hầm hừ trong bụng nữa, hãy nói ra điều anh muốn. (Stop grumbling/muttering to yourself; say what you want.)

Advanced Usage

• "hầm hừ trong cổ họng": to growl in one's throat.

  • Nó chỉ hầm hừ trong cổ họng rồi bỏ đi. (It just growled in its throat and then walked away.)

• Used to describe a tense, hostile, or simmering atmosphere.

  • Bầu không khí trong phòng thật hầm hừ. (The atmosphere in the room was tense and hostile.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hằm hằm (adj): Fierce, glaring (often describing an angry facial expression).

  • Cô ấy nhìn tôi với ánh mắt hằm hằm. (She looked at me with a fierce glare.)

• Hằm hừ (adj): This is a direct variant with the same meaning as 'hầm hừ'. It is often used interchangeably.

  • Tiếng hằm hừ của con chó dữ. (The snarl of the fierce dog.)

Synonyms

• Gầm gừ (v): To growl, to roar (often used for larger animals like tigers, but can be used similarly).
• Càu nhàu (v): To grumble, to complain in a low, irritated voice (focuses more on discontent than aggression).

Related Phrases

• Nói hầm hầm / hầm hè: To speak in a gruff, angry, or threatening manner.
  • Anh ta nói hầm hầm với nhân viên. (He spoke gruffly to the staff.)

Related Idioms

• Mặt hầm hầm: Having a scowling or sullen face.
  • Sao cậu lại vào với mặt hầm hầm thế? (Why did you come in with such a scowl on your face?)

1. như hằm hừ