sè

Thân thiện

Mù tạt có vị sè mạnh, xông thẳng lên mũi.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Stingingly hot, pungently spicy: Describes a sharp, intense, and often irritating sensation of heat, typically from chili peppers or strong spices. It is a specific type of spiciness that can cause a burning or tingling feeling, especially on the tongue or lips.
   • Astringent, harsh: Can describe a dry, puckering, or rough sensation, often related to taste (e.g., from unripe fruit) or texture.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Ớt này sè quá, tôi không ăn nổi. (This chili is stingingly hot, I can't eat it.)
  • Vị của trái hồng xanh rất sè ở đầu lưỡi. (The taste of the green persimmon is very astringent on the tip of the tongue.)
  • Món ăn có vị cay sè đặc trưng của ớt hiểm. (The dish has the characteristically pungent spiciness of bird's eye chili.)

Advanced Usage

• "Cay sè": This is the most common compound form, intensifying the meaning of "cay" (spicy) to specify a sharp, stinging heat.
  • Cơn đau họng cay sè khiến tôi khó chịu. (The stinging, burning sore throat made me uncomfortable.)
• Used metaphorically to describe a sharp, biting, or harsh quality in speech, criticism, or emotion.
  • Lời phê bình của cô ấy nghe thật sè lòng. (Her criticism sounded very harsh/bitter to the heart.)

Variants and Related Words

• Cay (adj): Spicy, hot (the general term for spiciness).
• Sè sè (adj): Reduplicated form, often used to soften the intensity, meaning "a bit astringent" or "slightly pungent."
• Chát (adj): Often used similarly to "sè" for astringency, especially from tannins in tea, banana, or persimmon.

Synonyms

• Nồng (adj): Pungent, strong (often for smells or intense flavors).
• Gắt (adj): Harsh, sharp, intense (can apply to taste, light, or sound).

Related Phrases / Idioms

• Cay sè mặt mày: To be so spicy it makes one's face contort.
  • Ăn miếng ớt cay sè mặt mày. (To eat a chili so hot it makes one's face scrunch up.)
• Đắng nghét, cay sè: A phrase describing a combination of bitter and pungently spicy flavors, often used figuratively for a difficult or unpleasant experience.
  • Cuộc đời nhiều lúc đắng nghét, cay sè. (Life is sometimes bitter and harsh.)

Học thuật

1. (Cay sè) Stingly hot