Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fire (a gun/shot): The primary meaning of "nổ súng" is to discharge a firearm, causing a bullet to be propelled. It often refers to the act of shooting.
   • To open fire: This term is commonly used to describe the commencement of shooting, typically in a military, police, or conflict context, implying a sudden or ordered start.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Cảnh sát được lệnh nổ súng. (The police were ordered to open fire.)
  • Tiếng nổ súng vang lên lúc nửa đêm. (The sound of gunfire rang out at midnight.)
  • Cuộc xung đột bắt đầu khi một bên nổ súng. (The conflict began when one side fired shots.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase "nổ súng" can be used metaphorically in Vietnamese to mark the vigorous or aggressive start of a competitive event or campaign, though this is an extended, figurative use. The core meaning remains literal gunfire.
  • Chiến dịch marketing sẽ nổ súng vào tuần tới. (The marketing campaign will kick off [lit.: open fire] next week.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bắn súng (v): to shoot a gun. This is a more general synonym.

  • Anh ấy đang tập bắn súng ở trường bắn. (He is practicing shooting at the shooting range.)

• Khai hỏa (v): to open fire (similar to "nổ súng," often used in formal or military contexts).

  • Tàu chiến đã khai hỏa. (The warship opened fire.)

Synonyms

• Open fire: to begin shooting.
• Shoot: to discharge a firearm.
• Fire a shot: to discharge a single round.

Related Idioms

• Nổ súng mở màn: to fire the opening shot; to kick things off.

  • Trận đấu được nổ súng mở màn bởi một cú sút xa. (The match was kicked off by a long-range shot.)

• Nổ súng không báo trước: to open fire without warning.

  • Đó là một cuộc tấn công nổ súng không báo trước. (It was an attack with no warning shots.)

1. động từ. to fire