Definition

1. Noun:
   • Beast of prey: A large, wild, and dangerous animal that hunts and kills other animals for food. This term emphasizes the creature's ferocity and potential threat to humans.
   • Fierce beast / Ferocious animal: A general term for any large, wild animal known for its savage, violent, or predatory nature.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Khu rừng này là lãnh địa của nhiều loài ác thú. (This forest is the territory of many beasts of prey.)
  • Tiếng gầm của ác thú vang vọng trong đêm. (The roar of the fierce beast echoed through the night.)
  • Các thợ săn phải cực kỳ thận trọng với ác thú. (Hunters must be extremely cautious of ferocious animals.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "ác thú" is often used in literary, formal, or dramatic contexts to evoke a sense of primal danger and fear. It is less common in everyday biological discussion, where specific animal names (e.g., - tiger, - lion) are preferred.
• It can be used metaphorically to describe a person of extreme cruelty or savagery.
  • Hắn ta có trái tim của một ác thú. (He has the heart of a beast.)

Variants and Related Words

• Thú dữ (n): Wild beast, dangerous animal. This is a more general and commonly used synonym.
• Dã thú (n): Wild beast, emphasizing its untamed, wilderness nature.
• Mãnh thú (n): Fierce beast, emphasizing its ferocious strength.

Synonyms

• Predator: An animal that naturally preys on others.
• Beast of prey: An animal that hunts and kills other animals for food.
• Fierce animal: An animal characterized by aggressive and violent behavior.

Related Idioms

• Hàng rào ngăn ác thú: A fence to keep out fierce beasts. This can be used literally or figuratively for a protective barrier.
• Ác thú trong hình người: A beast in human form. Used to describe a person who is brutally cruel or evil.
  • Tên độc tài đó là một ác thú trong hình người. (That dictator is a beast in human form.)

noun

1. Beast of prey