thơm lừng
Definition
- 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.)