Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Seething, boiling: Describes a liquid, especially water, boiling very violently and vigorously.
   • Seething, fervent, intense: Describes emotions, passions, or atmospheres that are extremely agitated, heated, or intense, as if boiling over.

2. Verb (less common):

   • To seethe, to boil over: To exhibit violent boiling or intense, agitated activity.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:

  • Nồi nước đang sôi sục. (The pot of water is boiling violently.)
  • Lòng căm thù sôi sục. (Seething hatred.)
  • Không khí trong sân vận động thật sôi sục. (The atmosphere in the stadium is intensely fervent.)

• Verb:

  • Máu trong người anh ấy sôi sục vì phẫn nộ. (The blood in his veins seethed with indignation.)

Advanced Usage

• Often used to intensify the state of boiling or agitation. The variant "sôi sùng sục" is an even stronger form, emphasizing a more tumultuous, rolling boil or more intense emotion.
  • Nước trong ấm sôi sùng sục. (The water in the kettle is boiling in great, rolling bubbles.)
  • Cuộc biểu tình diễn ra trong không khí sôi sùng sục. (The protest took place in a seething, tumultuous atmosphere.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sôi (v): to boil (the basic, more general term).

  • Nước sôi ở 100 độ C. (Water boils at 100 degrees C.)

• Sùng sục (onomatopoeic adv): describes the gurgling, bubbling sound of vigorous boiling, often paired with "sôi".

  • Nồi cháo sôi sùng sục. (The porridge is bubbling and boiling vigorously.)

Synonyms

• Seething: (for emotions/atmosphere) filled with intense but unexpressed anger, excitement, or activity.
• Boiling: (for liquids) at or near the boiling point; (for emotions) very angry or agitated.
• Fervent: having or displaying a passionate intensity.
• Tumultuous: making a loud, confused noise; excited, confused, or disorderly.

Related Idioms and Phrases

• Sôi sục căm thù: to seethe with hatred.

  • Nhân dân sôi sục căm thù quân xâm lược. (The people seethed with hatred for the invaders.)

• Cuộc sống sôi sục: a fervent, bustling, intense life.

  • Anh ấy thích cuộc sống sôi sục ở thành phố lớn. (He likes the intense, bustling life of a big city.)

1. to seethe, to boil