thơm nức
Definition
- Adjective phrase:
- Extremely fragrant / Intensely aromatic: Describes a powerful, pervasive, and very pleasant smell, often so strong it seems to fill the air. It implies a richness and depth of fragrance.
- Deliciously fragrant: Often used specifically for the enticing, mouth-watering smell of food.
Usage Examples
- Adjective phrase:
- Căn bếp thơm nức mùi bánh mới ra lò. (The kitchen is filled with the delicious smell of freshly baked bread.)
- Hoa nhài nở trắng vườn, thơm nức cả một góc. (The jasmine flowers bloomed white in the garden, fragrantly perfuming the entire corner.)
- Món ăn đó trông thơm nức. (That dish looks/smells incredibly appetizing.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase "thơm nức mũi" is a common variant with identical meaning, adding "mũi" (nose) for emphasis on the sensory impact.
- Mùi cà phê rang thơm nức mũi. (The smell of roasting coffee is wonderfully aromatic.)
Variants and Related Words
- Thơm ngát (adj): diffusely and elegantly fragrant (often for flowers, scents).
- Thơm phức (adj): strongly and appealingly fragrant (almost exclusively for food).
- Thơm sực (adj): a sudden, striking wave of fragrance; a synonym for "thơm nức."
Synonyms
- Fragrant: having a pleasant smell.
- Aromatic: having a distinctive and pleasant smell.
- Redolent: strongly reminiscent or suggestive; fragrant.
- Savory-smelling: specifically for food.
Related Idioms
- While "thơm nức" itself is descriptive, it is often used in the idiom "thơm nức tiếng" (less common), meaning famous or renowned in a positive way.
- Ngôi làng ấy thơm nức tiếng với nghề làm gốm. (That village is widely renowned for its pottery craft.)