khét lẹt
Definition
- Adjective (Reduplicative expressive word):
- Extremely burnt or scorched: Describes a very strong, unpleasant smell of something burning excessively, often with an acrid, oily, or greasy quality.
- Overpoweringly acrid: Refers to an intense, offensive odor resulting from overheating fats, oils, fabrics, or food.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Mùi dầu cháy khét lẹt trong bếp. (The smell of burnt oil in the kitchen was overpoweringly acrid.)
- Chiếc áo vô ý để sắt quá lâu, bốc mùi khét lẹt. (The shirt was accidentally left under the iron too long, giving off a terribly scorched smell.)
Advanced Usage
- Used almost exclusively as a descriptive intensifier for "khét" (burnt). It vividly emphasizes the severity and unpleasantness of the smell, often implying negligence or an accident.
Variants and Related Words
- Khét (adj): burnt, scorched, acrid. The root word.
- Thịt nướng hơi khét. (The grilled meat is a bit burnt.)
- Khét lẹt is itself a variant (a reduplicative form) that intensifies "khét."
Synonyms
- Acrid: Having a sharply bitter or pungent smell.
- Scorched: Burned superficially so as to change color and texture, often producing a smell.
- Empyreumatic: (Technical) Having the characteristic smell of organic matter burned in a limited air supply.
Notes on Meaning
- The term specifically describes a , not just the state of being burnt. It is sensory and negative.
- It often carries a connotation of something being ruined or spoiled by excessive burning, particularly involving oils or synthetic materials.
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xem lẹt.
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(Khét lèn lẹt) (láy, ý tăng)
