Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Suddenly; abruptly: Used to describe an action or thought that occurs in a sudden, unexpected, and immediate manner.
   • Strongly and suddenly (of a smell): Used to describe a scent that is perceived suddenly and is intensely penetrating or fragrant.

Usage Examples

• Adverb (sudden action/thought):
  • Anh ấy sực nhớ ra cuộc hẹn quan trọng. (He suddenly remembered the important appointment.)
  • Cô ấy sực tỉnh dậy vì tiếng động lớn. (She woke up abruptly because of the loud noise.)
• Adverb (sudden smell):
  • Mùi cà phê thơm sực nức cả căn phòng. (The smell of coffee, fragrant and strong, filled the entire room.)

Advanced Usage

• "sực nhớ": to suddenly remember.

  • Đang đi đường, tôi sực nhớ mình đã khóa cửa chưa. (While on the road, I suddenly remembered whether I had locked the door.)

• "sực nghĩ": to suddenly think of.

  • Ông ấy sực nghĩ ra một giải pháp tuyệt vời. (He suddenly thought of an excellent solution.)

Variants and Related Words

• Sực sực (adv): An emphatic reduplicated form, often describing a repeated, sudden, and intense action or smell.
  • Mùi thuốc sơn sực sực bốc lên. (The smell of paint rose up, strong and sharp.)

Synonyms

• Suddenly: Happening quickly and unexpectedly.
• Abruptly: In a sudden and unexpected way.
• All of a sudden: Suddenly.

Related Idioms

• Sực tỉnh: to be jolted awake; to have a sudden realization.
  • Nghe tin dữ, cả gia đình sực tỉnh. (Hearing the bad news, the whole family was jolted awake to reality.)