phung phúng
Definition
- Adjective:
- Slightly puffed / Slightly bulging: Describes cheeks that are a little full, round, or swollen, often in a soft and temporary way. It implies a gentle, rounded puffiness.
- Pouty: Can describe the appearance of cheeks when someone is puffing them out slightly, often when sulking, holding back laughter, or concentrating.
Usage Examples
- Adjective:
- Bé có đôi má phung phúng rất dễ thương. (The baby has adorably chubby, puffed cheeks.)
- Cô ấy phùng má phung phúng vì tức giận. (She puffed out her cheeks in anger.)
- Anh ấy nhai kẹo cao su làm hai má cứ phung phúng. (He chewed gum, making his cheeks puff in and out.)
Advanced Usage
- The word is almost exclusively used to describe the cheeks (). It is an evocative, descriptive term that paints a visual image of soft, rounded puffiness.
- It often carries a connotation of cuteness, childishness, or a temporary emotional state (like pouting).
Variants and Related Words
- Phùng (v): to puff up, to swell (more pronounced and intentional than "phung phúng").
- Nó phùng má lên thổi bong bóng. (He puffed his cheeks up to blow bubbles.)
Synonyms
- Chubby (specifically for cheeks): having round, full cheeks.
- Puffed: swollen or inflated slightly.
- Pouty: having the lips or cheeks pushed forward, especially to show annoyance.
Related Idioms
- While not a standalone idiom, the phrase "má phung phúng" (puffy cheeks) is a common and vivid descriptive collocation in Vietnamese.