Proverbs, slang and wishes
Vietnamese Idioms (Thành Ngữ)
Thành ngữ are fixed expressions, usually built on a vivid image. People often use them in everyday conversation.
Animals
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Đàn gảy tai trâu | Playing a lute to a buffalo’s earWasting effort on someone who cannot appreciate it. |
| Ếch ngồi đáy giếng | A frog sitting at the bottom of a wellSomeone with a narrow view of the world. |
| Nước đổ đầu vịt | Water poured on a duck’s headAdvice that has no effect at all. |
| Bắt cá hai tay | Catching fish with both handsTwo-timing; going after two things at once. |
| Treo đầu dê, bán thịt chó | Hang a goat’s head, sell dog meatAdvertising one thing and selling another. |
| Vẽ rắn thêm chân | Drawing legs on a snakeAdding something unnecessary and spoiling the result. |
| Cõng rắn cắn gà nhà | Carrying a snake to bite the chickens at homeBringing an enemy in to harm your own people. |
| Cá mè một lứa | Carp from the same spawnPeople who are all as bad as one another. |
| Mèo mù vớ cá rán | A blind cat stumbles on a fried fishPure luck, undeserved good fortune. |
| Con sâu làm rầu nồi canh | One worm spoils the pot of soupOne person’s fault hurts the whole group. |
People and everyday life
| Vietnamese | English |
|---|---|
| Dễ như ăn kẹo | As easy as eating candyA piece of cake. |
| Bút sa gà chết | The pen falls, the chicken diesOnce signed, it cannot be undone. |
| Miệng nam mô, bụng bồ dao găm | Prayers on the lips, daggers in the bellySaying kind words while meaning harm. |
| Gắp lửa bỏ tay người | Picking up fire and putting it in someone’s handShifting blame or harm on to someone else. |
| Bình chân như vại | Feet as steady as a jarStaying unbothered while others have trouble. |
| Nồi nào vung nấy | Each pot has its own lidEveryone has a match. |
| Lên thác xuống ghềnh | Up the falls, down the rapidsA life full of hardship. |
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