thuốc súng

Người thợ pháo chế tạo thuốc súng trong xưởng.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Gunpowder: A chemical explosive mixture, historically composed of saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal, used as a propellant in firearms and fireworks.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Thuốc súng được phát minh ở Trung Quốc cổ đại. (Gunpowder was invented in ancient China.)
  • Họ sản xuất thuốc súng cho pháo hoa. (They manufacture gunpowder for fireworks.)
  • Viên đạn được đẩy đi nhờ thuốc súng. (The bullet is propelled by gunpowder.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "thuốc súng" is a compound noun where "thuốc" means medicine/drug/substance and "súng" means gun, literally translating to "gun substance."
• It refers specifically to the explosive propellant, not to a complete cartridge or bullet.

Variants and Related Words

• Thuốc nổ (n): High explosive. A more powerful explosive substance than gunpowder, used in demolition and mining.
  • Thuốc nổ TNT rất mạnh. (TNT explosive is very powerful.)

Synonyms

• Gunpowder: Black powder.
• Propellant: A substance that propels.

Related Idioms

• Châm ngòi thuốc súng: To ignite the gunpowder / to be the spark that sets off a conflict.
  • Lời nói đó châm ngòi thuốc súng cho cuộc tranh cãi. (That statement ignited the gunpowder for the argument.)