Definition

1. Adjective (Tính từ):
   • Slightly rotten, having a faintly foul or putrid smell: Describes something that is beginning to spoil or decay, emitting a faint, unpleasant odor, often of organic matter like food or garbage. It is the reduplicative form (láy) of "khắm," indicating a lesser degree.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Thùng rác để lâu ngày bắt đầu có mùi khăm khắm. (The trash bin left for many days is starting to have a slightly rotten smell.)
  • Cá không còn tươi, ngửi thấy khăm khắm rồi. (The fish is no longer fresh; you can smell it's a bit off.)
  • Căn phòng ẩm thấp bốc lên mùi khăm khắm khó chịu. (The damp room gave off an unpleasant, faintly foul odor.)

Advanced Usage

• Used to describe abstract concepts: Sometimes used metaphorically to describe a situation, behavior, or atmosphere that feels unpleasant, dubious, or "off," though this usage is less common.
  • Câu chuyện của hắn nghe khăm khắm, chẳng biết thực hư thế nào. (His story sounds a bit fishy; who knows what's true or false.)

Variants and Related Words

• Khắm (Adj): Rotten, putrid, foul-smelling. The root word, indicating a stronger, more definite state of decay and stench.
  • Thịt đã khắm, không ăn được nữa. (The meat is rotten and inedible.)
• Khúm (Adj): Often used in "khúm núm," meaning to cower or act obsequiously. Not related in meaning to "khăm khắm."

Synonyms

• Hôi hôi (Adj): Having a slight bad smell.
• Ảm ảnh (Adj): (Of smell) Musty, moldy, suggesting damp decay.
• Ôi (Adj): (Of fatty food) Rancid, spoiled.

Antonyms

• Thơm (Adj): Fragrant, sweet-smelling.
• Tươi (Adj): Fresh.
• Sạch sẽ (Adj): Clean.

1. xem khắm (láy)