Definition

1. Verb:
   • To fester, to suppurate: A medical/biological term describing the process where a wound, sore, or abscess becomes inflamed and fills with pus. It indicates the formation and accumulation of pus due to infection.

Usage Examples

• Verb:
  • Vết thương không được vệ sinh đã bắt đầu nung mủ. (The uncleaned wound has begun to fester.)
  • Bác sĩ nói cái nhọt trên lưng đang nung mủ và cần được chích ra. (The doctor said the boil on his back is suppurating and needs to be lanced.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "nung mủ" is almost exclusively used in a medical or pathological context. It describes a specific stage of a bacterial infection.
• It can be used metaphorically in literature to describe a situation of growing tension or a hidden problem that is worsening, though this is less common.
  • Mâu thuẫn trong nội bộ công ty đã âm ỉ nung mủ từ nhiều tháng nay. (The internal conflict within the company has been festering silently for many months.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mưng mủ: A common variant with the same meaning (to fester, to suppurate). "Mưng mủ" might be perceived as slightly more colloquial.
  • Đầu ngón tay bị đứt giờ đang mưng mủ. (The cut on the fingertip is now festering.)
• Lên mủ: A simpler, more general phrase meaning "to form pus".
• Nhiễm trùng: (Infection) - The general condition that can lead to "nung mủ".
• Áp-xe: (Abscess) - A localized collection of pus, which is the result of "nung mủ".

Synonyms

• Mưng mủ: (verb) To fester, to suppurate.
• Hóa mủ: (verb) To turn into pus, to suppurate.

Related Phrases / Idioms

• "Ổ mủ": Literally "a nest of pus". Refers to an abscess or a deep-seated source of infection. Can be used metaphorically for a hidden center of corruption or trouble.
  • Cần phải dọn sạch ổ mủ tham nhũng trong bộ máy. (It is necessary to clean out the nest of corruption within the apparatus.)

1. Fester, suppurate
   • Nhọt nung mủ
     The boil is festering