Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Scorching, intensely hot: Describes an extreme degree of heat, often from the sun or fire, that feels burning or searing.
   • Boiling, seething (figurative): Describes a powerful, intense, and agitated emotional state, such as anger or hatred, that feels like it is bubbling or burning inside.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Trời nắng hực. (The weather is scorching hot.)
  • Ngọn lửa cháy hực. (The fire is burning fiercely.)
  • Lòng căm thù hực lên. (Hatred seethes/boils within.)

Advanced Usage

• "hực hực": A reduplicated form that intensifies the meaning, emphasizing the continuous or increasing nature of the heat or emotion.

  • Nóng hực hực. (Burning/scorching hot.)
  • Giận hực hực. (Seething with anger.)

• "hừng hực": A common alliterative compound (láy từ) with "hực," meaning scorching hot or steaming hot, often used for heat. It can also describe intense, fervent emotions.

  • Nắng hừng hực. (The sun is scorching hot.)
  • Lòng yêu nước hừng hực. (A heart fervent/seething with patriotism.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hừng hực (adj): Scorching hot; fervent, seething (emotion). This is the most common paired form.
• Bỏng (adj): Hot enough to burn, scalding. Focuses on the effect (causing burns) rather than the intense quality itself.
• Nóng bức (adj): Sweltering, stiflingly hot. Emphasizes uncomfortable, oppressive heat.

Synonyms

• Nóng rang: Baking hot.
• Nóng như thiêu như đốt: As hot as being burned (idiomatic).
• Sôi sục: Boiling, seething (primarily for emotions).

Notes on Meaning

• Literal Meaning (Heat): "Hực" vividly describes a palpable, radiating, and often dry heat, like from a fierce fire or the midday sun.
• Figurative Meaning (Emotion): When describing emotions, "hực" conveys a sense of internal fire, agitation, and intensity that is difficult to contain, such as "căm thù hực" (seething hatred) or "nhiệt huyết hực" (burning zeal). It is less commonly used alone for emotions than its compound form "hừng hực."

1. Scorching [hot]
   • Nóng hực
     Scorching hot
   • Hừng hực (láy, ý tăng).
     Scorching hot, steaming hot
   • Nắng hè nóng hừng hực
     The summer sun is scorching hot
2. Boiling, seething
   • Căm thù hừng hực trong lòng
     His heart was boiling with hatred