Definition

1. Adjective (Descriptive phrase):
   • Boiling violently / bubbling furiously: Describes a liquid, typically water, that is boiling with intense, rapid, and noisy bubbles.
   • Seething / raging (figurative): Describes an intense, barely contained emotional state, such as anger, hatred, or excitement, that feels like it is bubbling over.

Usage Examples

• Literal (liquid):
  • Nồi nước sôi sùng sục trên bếp. (The pot of water was boiling violently on the stove.)
• Figurative (emotion):
  • Lòng căm thù sôi sùng sục trong tim anh ta. (Hatred seethed furiously in his heart.)
  • Đám đông sôi sùng sục phản đối. (The crowd was seething with protest.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used as a vivid intensifier for the verb "sôi" (to boil). The phrase "sùng sục" is a reduplicative that mimics the sound and vigorous action of boiling, adding emphasis.
• It can describe a situation of intense activity or agitation.
  • Cuộc tranh luận sôi sùng sục. (The debate was heated and furious.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sôi (v): to boil.
  • Nước đang sôi. (The water is boiling.)
• Sôi sục (adj): boiling, seething. A slightly less intense form of "sôi sùng sục".
  • Cơn giận sôi sục. (Seething anger.)
• Sùng sục (onomatopoeic): the repetitive, bubbling sound of vigorous boiling.

Synonyms

• Boiling over: for liquids.
• Seething: for emotions.
• Raging: for intense feelings or activity.
• Bubbling furiously: descriptive synonym.

Related Idioms

• While not a standalone idiom, the phrase is frequently used in expressions like "sôi sùng sục lên" (to boil over with rage).
  • Nghe tin đó, anh ấy sôi sùng sục lên. (Hearing that news, he boiled over with rage.)