khét
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Burnt-smelling: Having the strong, unpleasant, acrid smell produced when organic matter, especially food, hair, or fabric, is scorched or burned.
- Overcooked / Scorched: Describing food, typically rice or grains, that has been cooked for too long or at too high a heat, resulting in a burnt smell and taste at the bottom of the pot.
Adjective (figurative):
- Notorious / Infamous: Describing a person who is widely and unfavorably known for bad deeds or a bad reputation.
Usage Examples
- Adjective (literal):
- Có mùi khét trong bếp. (There is a burnt smell in the kitchen.)
- Cơm bị khét đáy nồi. (The rice is scorched at the bottom of the pot.)
- Adjective (figurative):
- Hắn là một tên khét tiếng trong giới giang hồ. (He is a notorious figure in the underworld.)
Advanced Usage
- The word "khét" is often used to describe a specific stage of burning that is less severe than completely charred ("cháy đen") but distinctly unpleasant. It emphasizes the olfactory result.
Variants and Related Words
- Khét tiếng (adj): Notorious, infamous. This compound explicitly denotes a bad reputation.
- Một tên tội phạm khét tiếng. (A notorious criminal.)
- Khói khét (n): Acrid, burnt-smelling smoke.
- Khói khét bốc lên từ đám cháy. (Acrid smoke rose from the fire.)
Synonyms
- Burnt-smelling: Having the smell of something burnt.
- Scorched: Slightly burned, especially on the surface.
- Acrid: Having an unpleasantly strong, bitter smell or taste.
- Notorious: Famous or well-known, typically for some bad quality or deed.
Related Idioms
- Khét như mắm tôm: (Lit: As pungent as shrimp paste). A humorous simile used to emphasize that someone or something is extremely notorious or has a very strong, pervasive (and often unfavorable) reputation.
- Lại gần nó làm gì, khét như mắm tôm ấy. (Why get close to him? He's as notorious as they come.)