Definition

1. Adjective (used as an intensifier):

   • Very; intensely; strongly: Used primarily after adjectives describing smells or flavors (like "thơm" - fragrant, or "ngọt" - sweet) to intensify their meaning, indicating a powerful, pervasive, and often pleasant aroma or taste.

2. Noun (in specialized contexts):

   • Complex (chemistry): A technical term used in chemistry to denote a 'complex', as in a coordination compound.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nước hoa thơm phức. (The perfume is very fragrant.)
  • Bánh mì mới ra lò thơm phức. (The freshly baked bread smells deliciously strong.)
  • Món canh ngọt phức. (The soup is intensely sweet/savory.)

Advanced Usage

• "phưng phức": A reduplicative form that intensifies the meaning of "phức" even further, expressing an extremely strong and appealing smell, often associated with hot, freshly cooked food.
  • Thịt nướng thơm phưng phức. (The grilled meat smells incredibly delicious and aromatic.)

Variants and Related Words

• Phức tạp (adj): complicated, complex (in the general sense).

  • Tình hình rất phức tạp. (The situation is very complicated.)

• Muối phức (n): complex salt (a chemical term).

  • Đây là một loại muối phức của coban. (This is a type of cobalt complex salt.)

Synonyms

• Intensely: with extreme strength or degree.
• Strongly: having a powerful effect on the senses, especially smell.
• Deliciously: in a manner that is highly pleasing to taste or smell.

Notes on Usage

• "Phức" is almost never used alone. It functions as a post-positive intensifier, typically attached directly to sensory adjectives like "thơm" (fragrant) or "ngọt" (sweet/savory).
• Its use is highly idiomatic and specific to describing olfactory and gustatory experiences. It carries a connotation of the scent or flavor being rich, deep, and all-encompassing.

1. Very (fragrant), very (flavoured), very (sweet-smelling)
   • Nước hoa thơm phức
     The scent is very sweet
2. Phưng phức (láy, ý tăng)
   • Chả nướng thơm phưng phức
     The broiled meat smelled very flavoured