Definition

Adjective: - Stinking, foul-smelling: Describes something that has a very bad, unpleasant odor, often of decay or rot.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Nước mắm này đã thủm rồi. (This fish sauce has become stinking.)
  • Thùng rác để lâu ngày bốc mùi thủm. (The trash bin left for many days emits a foul smell.)

Advanced Usage

• "thum thủm": This is a reduplicated form (lặp từ) of "thủm". It carries an attenuated meaning, describing a slight or mild bad smell rather than an intensely foul one.
  • Cái tủ lạnh cũ có mùi thum thủm. (The old refrigerator has a slightly off smell.)

Variants and Related Words

• Hôi thối (adj): Rotten, putrid. A stronger or more general synonym for having a disgusting smell.
• Hôi (adj): Smelly, malodorous. A more common general term for a bad smell.

Synonyms

• Fetid: Having a heavy, offensive smell.
• Rancid: Smelling or tasting unpleasant as a result of being old and stale (often used for oils or fats).
• Putrid: Decaying or rotting and emitting a fetid smell.

Notes on Usage

• The word "thủm" is considered informal and vivid. It is often used to describe smells from organic matter, especially spoiled food (like fish sauce) or garbage.
• The reduplicated form "thum thủm" is softer and more colloquial.

adj

1. stinking