Definition

1. Noun:

   • Smell; Odour; Scent: The quality of something that is perceived by the nose. This is a neutral term that can refer to pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral smells.
   • Taste; Flavour (figurative): An experience or impression of something, often used metaphorically to describe the nature of life's experiences.
   • Kind; Sort; Variety (literary): A type or category, often used in classical poetry.

2. Noun (in specific contexts):

   • The 8th Earthly Branch (Mùi): In the traditional East Asian zodiac and timekeeping system, "Mùi" corresponds to the Goat/Ram, the years of the Goat, and the period of 1 PM to 3 PM.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Smell):
  • Căn phòng có mùi hoa hồng. (The room has the smell of roses.)
  • Thùng rác bốc lên mùi khó chịu. (The trash bin gave off an unpleasant odour.)
• Noun (Figurative taste/experience):
  • Anh ấy đã nếm trải mùi đời cay đắng. (He has tasted the bitter flavours of life.)
• Noun (Kind/Variety - literary):
  • Tranh của cô ấy đủ mùi sắc thái. (Her paintings have all kinds of shades.)
• Noun (Earthly Branch):
  • Mẹ tôi sinh năm Mùi. (My mother was born in the Year of the Goat.)

Advanced Usage

• "mùi đời": The taste/experience of life, often implying its hardships and complexities.
  • Cậu ấy còn trẻ, chưa biết mùi đời là gì. (He is still young and doesn't know what the taste of life is.)
• "có mùi": Literally "to have a smell," often used to indicate that food has spoiled or that a situation seems suspicious.
  • Sữa này đã có mùi rồi. (This milk has gone off / has a smell.)
  • Câu chuyện của hắn nghe có mùi. (His story sounds fishy.)

Variants and Related Words

• Rau mùi (n): Coriander/Cilantro (the herb).
  • Rau mùi là một loại gia vị phổ biến. (Coriander is a common herb.)
• Mùi thơm (n): Fragrance, pleasant smell, perfume.
  • Mùi thơm của bánh mì mới ra lò. (The fragrance of freshly baked bread.)
• Mùi hương (n): Aroma, scent (often pleasant).
• Mùi vị (n): Flavour, taste (both literal for food and figurative).

Synonyms

• Smell: The most general synonym.
• Odour: More formal, often for a distinct smell.
• Scent: Often for a pleasant or delicate smell.
• Aroma: A pleasant, often spicy or food-related smell.
• Flavour/Taste: For the figurative meaning of experience.

Related Idioms

• Nếm mùi (tân khổ/đắng cay/thất bại): To taste/experience (hardship/bitterness/failure).
  • Đội bóng đã nếm mùi thất bại. (The football team tasted defeat.)
• Biết mùi: To know the taste/experience of something (often negative).
  • Hãy để nó biết mùi lao động. (Let him know the taste of hard work.)

noun

1. smell; odour; scent
   • mùi thơm
     pleasent smell; perfume