ùng ục
Definition
Onomatopoeia (Sound Word):
- Gurgling, bubbling: A sound made by liquid, often water, moving or boiling in a contained, somewhat obstructed way, like water draining from a bathtub or boiling thick soup.
- Gulping, glugging: The sound of someone or something drinking or swallowing a liquid quickly and in large amounts.
Adjective (Descriptive):
- Chunky, lumpy: Used to describe a thick, viscous substance, like porridge or mud, that makes soft, wet, bubbling sounds when moved or stirred.
Usage Examples
Onomatopoeia:
- Nước trong cống chảy nghe ùng ục. (The water in the drain flowed with a gurgling sound.)
- Nó uống hết ly nước một hơi, ùng ục. (He drank the whole glass of water in one go, glug-glug-glug.)
Adjective:
- Cháo nấu quá đặc, trông ùng ục. (The porridge was cooked too thick; it looked lumpy and viscous.)
Advanced Usage
- Often used in reduplicated form for emphasis: "ùng ục".
- Can describe the sound of suppressed emotions or turmoil, like a stifled sob or internal anger.
- Cơn giận sôi lên ùng ục trong lòng anh ta. (Anger bubbled up gurgling inside him.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ục ục (onomatopoeia): A very similar sound, sometimes implying a slightly lighter or quicker series of gurgles or gulps.
Synonyms
- Gurgle: To flow with a bubbling sound.
- Glug: The sound of liquid pouring from a bottle.
- Bubble: To form bubbles, often with a soft sound.
- Chunky: Having thick, lumpy pieces.
Related Idioms
- Nổi lên ùng ục: To bubble up vigorously; often used metaphorically for problems or emotions surfacing intensely.
- Tin đồn nổi lên ùng ục. (The rumors surfaced/bubbled up furiously.)