nổi điên

Definition

Verb phrase:
- To fly into a rage, to become furious: To suddenly lose control of one's temper, expressing extreme and often violent anger. It describes a sudden, intense, and sometimes irrational outburst.
- To go mad/crazy (in a fit): To temporarily behave in a wild, uncontrolled, or insane manner, often due to extreme anger or frustration.

Usage Examples

Verb phrase:
- Khi biết tin, anh ấy nổi điên lên và đập vỡ chiếc điện thoại. (When he heard the news, he flew into a rage and smashed his phone.)
- Đừng làm mẹ nổi điên, con hãy dọn phòng ngay đi! (Don't make your mother go crazy, clean your room right now!)
- Cô ấy suýt nổi điên khi thấy bức tranh bị rách. (She almost went mad when she saw the torn painting.)

Advanced Usage

"làm ai nổi điên": to drive someone crazy/mad (with anger).
- Sự chậm trễ này đủ để làm bất kỳ ai nổi điên. (This delay is enough to drive anyone crazy.)
"nổi điên lên": emphasizes the sudden, upward surge of anger. The particle "lên" adds intensity to the action.
- Nghe đến đó, ông ta nổi điên lên. (Hearing that, he flew into an absolute rage.)

Variants and Related Words

Nổi giận (verb phrase): To become angry. This is a more standard and slightly less intense synonym.
Nổi cơn thịnh nộ (verb phrase): To fly into a fury. This is a more literary and formal equivalent.
Phát điên (verb phrase): To go crazy/mad. Can be used similarly for anger, but also for insanity in a broader sense.
Điên tiết (adjective/verb phrase): To be/become furious, beside oneself with rage. Often used in the structure "tức điên tiết".

Synonyms

Related Idioms

"Giận quá mất khôn": So angry that one loses wisdom. Similar to "Blind with rage".
- Anh ta giận quá mất khôn và đưa ra quyết định sai lầm. (He was blind with rage and made a wrong decision.)
"Máu nóng lên": (One's) blood boils. To become very angry.
- Nghe lời nói đó, máu tôi nóng lên. (Hearing those words, my blood boiled.)