thối tai

Definition
  1. Adjective:
    • Foul-smelling ear: Describes a chronic, purulent ear infection (otitis media) that produces a strong, unpleasant-smelling discharge. This is a medical condition.
    • Extremely unpleasant to hear: Used figuratively to describe something that is very offensive or irritating to listen to, such as harsh sounds, grating music, or insulting words.
Usage Examples
  • Adjective (Literal - Medical):
    • Đứa trẻ bị thối tai cần được điều trị bằng kháng sinh. (The child with a foul-smelling ear infection needs to be treated with antibiotics.)
  • Adjective (Figurative):
    • Bài hát đó nghe thối tai quá, hãy tắt đi. (That song is extremely unpleasant to hear; please turn it off.)
    • Những lời lẽ thối tai của anh ta làm mọi người bực mình. (His offensive words irritated everyone.)
Advanced Usage
  • The figurative use is common in informal speech to express strong auditory disgust. It emphasizes that something is not just bad, but offensively so to one's ears.
Variants and Related Words
  • Viêm tai giữa (n): Otitis media (the medical condition).
    • Viêm tai giữa có thể dẫn đến chảy mủ. (Otitis media can lead to pus discharge.)
Synonyms
  • Literal: Purulent, suppurative, festering (ear).
  • Figurative: Grating, jarring, cacophonous, offensive (to the ear).
Related Idioms
  • While "thối tai" itself is often used idiomatically, a related concept is:
    • Nghe chói tai: To be shrill or piercing to the ear (focuses on high pitch/volume rather than offensiveness of content).
      • Tiếng còi nghe chói tai. (The horn sounds shrill.)