Definition

1. Verb:
   • To reek of, to stink strongly of: Describes a strong, often unpleasant odor emanating from something or someone.
   • To be entirely/pervasively characterized by, to be wholly imbued with: Used figuratively to indicate that something is completely dominated by a single, often negative, quality, tone, or characteristic.

Usage Examples

• Verb (Literal - reeking):

  • Phòng ngủ nặc mùi thuốc lá. (The bedroom reeks of cigarette smoke.)
  • Lúc nào mồm cũng nặc mùi rượu. (His mouth is always reeking of alcohol.)

• Verb (Figurative - pervaded by):

  • Bài viết của anh ấy nặc giọng châm biếm. (His writing is wholly imbued with a sarcastic tone.)
  • Mở mồm ra là nặc giọng mỉa mai. (Whenever he opens his mouth, it sounds wholly ironical.)

Advanced Usage

• "nặc mùi": This is the most common collocation, meaning "to reek of a smell."
  • Cái tủ cũ nặc mùi ẩm mốc. (The old cupboard reeks of damp mold.)
• "nặc giọng": A figurative collocation meaning "to be entirely/pervasively in a certain tone or manner."
  • Cuộc tranh luận nặc giọng công kích cá nhân. (The debate was completely pervaded with a tone of personal attack.)

Variants and Related Words

• Nặc danh (adj): Anonymous. (Note: This is a compound word where "nặc" contributes to the meaning of "hidden" or "unidentified," but it is a fixed term with a distinct meaning from the standalone verb "nặc").
• Hôi (adj): Smelly, stinky. (Describes a state, while "nặc" emphasizes the active, strong emanation of the smell).
• Bốc mùi (v): To emit a smell (often strong or bad).

Synonyms

• Bốc mùi: To emit a smell.
• Xông lên: To rise/waft up (often used for smells).
• Ám: To be permeated with (a smell or quality).

Notes on Meaning

• The word "nặc" carries a negative connotation in both its literal and figurative uses. It describes an overwhelming and undesirable presence.
• In its figurative sense, it criticizes a lack of nuance or variety, implying something is monotonously or excessively characterized by one trait (e.g., constant sarcasm, pervasive pessimism).

1. Reek of
   • Lúc nào mồm cũng nặc mùi rượi
     To be always reeking of alcohol
2. Entirely consist of, be completely pervaded with, taste wholly of
   • Mở mồm ra là nặc giọng mỉa mai
     To sound wholly ironical whenever one opens one's mouth