Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Extremely fragrant / Intensely aromatic: Describes a smell, typically of food, flowers, or other pleasant sources, that is very strong, delightful, and spreads through the air.
   • Deliciously fragrant: Often used specifically to describe food that smells exceptionally good and appetizing.

Usage Examples

• Adjective:
  • Cơm mẹ nấu thơm lừng cả nhà. (The rice mother cooks is wonderfully fragrant throughout the house.)
  • Mùi hoa nhài thơm lừng trong vườn. (The scent of jasmine is intensely aromatic in the garden.)
  • Bánh mì mới ra lò thơm lừng. (The freshly baked bread smells deliciously fragrant.)

Advanced Usage

• Can be used metaphorically to describe something perceived as very positive or prestigious, though this is less common.
  • Thành tích của anh ấy thơm lừng khắp trường. (His achievements are widely renowned throughout the school.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thơm (adj): fragrant, aromatic, sweet-smelling. A more general and common term.

  • Hoa hồng này rất thơm. (This rose is very fragrant.)

• Thơm phức (adj): very fragrant, richly aromatic. Very similar in meaning and usage to "thơm lừng," often used for food.

  • Bát phở thơm phức. (A bowl of pho that is richly aromatic.)

Synonyms

• Fragrant: Having a pleasant smell.
• Aromatic: Having a strong, pleasant smell.
• Savory: Appetizing to the smell (especially for food).

Related Idioms

• Thơm nức: (similar to "thơm lừng") meaning wonderfully fragrant.

  • Cơm gà thơm nức mũi. (The chicken rice smells wonderfully fragrant.)

• Thơm ngát: (often for flowers) meaning diffusely and gently fragrant.

  • Cánh đồng hoa thơm ngát. (The flower field is diffusely fragrant.)