'Chòu hōng hōng' is a reduplicative adjective that vividly describes an extremely strong, unpleasant odor—so intense it feels almost physical or overwhelming. The first character 臭 (chòu) means 'smelly' or 'stinking', while the repeated 烘烘 (hōng hōng) mimics the sensation of heat and intensity, evoking how a foul smell seems to 'radiate' or 'steam' off something. Though not literally about heat, the reduplication adds emphasis and sensory exaggeration, typical in colloquial Chinese for strong sensory impressions.

This term is commonly used in informal speech to describe things like spoiled food, unwashed gym clothes, or animal enclosures—especially when the smell is both pungent and lingering. It carries a slightly humorous or exaggerated tone, rarely appearing in formal writing. Unlike neutral terms like 难闻 (nán wén), 'chòu hōng hōng' conveys visceral distaste and is often used for comic effect or emphatic description among friends or family.