Definition

1. Verb (Intransitive):

   • To crave; to desire intensely: To have a very strong, often physical, longing or yearning for something, typically something pleasurable like food, drink, or an experience.
   • To look at with longing: To gaze at something with obvious and eager desire.

2. Adjective:

   • Craving; longing; desirous: Describing a state of intense want or need.

Usage Examples

• Verb:

  • Tôi thèm thuồng một tách cà phê nóng. (I am craving a hot cup of coffee.)
  • Đứa trẻ thèm thuồng nhìn vào cửa hàng bánh kẹo. (The child looked longingly into the candy store.)

• Adjective:

  • Ánh mắt thèm thuồng của anh ấy khi nhìn món ăn. (His craving look when he saw the food.)

Advanced Usage

• "thèm thuồng" often implies a desire that is visible or palpable, stronger and more vivid than the simpler word "thèm". It can suggest a touch of envy or greed.
  • Cô ấy kể về chuyến du lịch khiến mọi người nghe thèm thuồng. (She told the story of her trip, making everyone who listened crave it.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thèm (v): to want, to crave. This is the root word and is more common and general.

  • Tôi thèm ăn phở. (I want to eat pho.)

• Thèm muốn (v): to desire, to wish for.

  • Anh ta thèm muốn một cuộc sống yên bình. (He desires a peaceful life.)

Synonyms

• Crave: to desire intensely.
• Yearn: to have a strong, often melancholic desire.
• Covet: to desire wrongfully or enviously (stronger, often for possessions).
• Hanker for: to have a restless desire for.

Related Idioms

• Thèm chảy nước miếng / thèm rỏ dãi: Literally "to crave until drooling"; to desire something so much it makes your mouth water.

  • Mùi bánh mì nướng khiến tôi thèm chảy nước miếng. (The smell of toasted bread made my mouth water.)

• Nhìn thèm thuồng: To look at with greedy or longing eyes.

  • Đừng nhìn thèm thuồng đồ của người khác như vậy. (Don't look at other people's things with such longing eyes.)