Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Burnt-smelling: Having the strong, unpleasant, acrid smell produced when organic matter, especially food, hair, or fabric, is scorched or burned.
   • Overcooked / Scorched: Describing food, typically rice or grains, that has been cooked for too long or at too high a heat, resulting in a burnt smell and taste at the bottom of the pot.

2. Adjective (figurative):

   • Notorious / Infamous: Describing a person who is widely and unfavorably known for bad deeds or a bad reputation.

Usage Examples

• Adjective (literal):
  • Có mùi khét trong bếp. (There is a burnt smell in the kitchen.)
  • Cơm bị khét đáy nồi. (The rice is scorched at the bottom of the pot.)
• Adjective (figurative):
  • Hắn là một tên khét tiếng trong giới giang hồ. (He is a notorious figure in the underworld.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "khét" is often used to describe a specific stage of burning that is less severe than completely charred ("cháy đen") but distinctly unpleasant. It emphasizes the olfactory result.

Variants and Related Words

• Khét tiếng (adj): Notorious, infamous. This compound explicitly denotes a bad reputation.
  • Một tên tội phạm khét tiếng. (A notorious criminal.)
• Khói khét (n): Acrid, burnt-smelling smoke.
  • Khói khét bốc lên từ đám cháy. (Acrid smoke rose from the fire.)

Synonyms

• Burnt-smelling: Having the smell of something burnt.
• Scorched: Slightly burned, especially on the surface.
• Acrid: Having an unpleasantly strong, bitter smell or taste.
• Notorious: Famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed.

Related Idioms

• Khét như mắm tôm: (Lit: As pungent as shrimp paste). A humorous simile used to emphasize that someone or something is extremely notorious or has a very strong, pervasive (and often unfavorable) reputation.
  • Lại gần nó làm gì, khét như mắm tôm ấy. (Why get close to him? He's as notorious as they come.)

verb

1. to smell; to be burnt
   • mùi khét
     burnt smell