一箭雙鵰

nhất tiễn song điêu
nhất tiễn song điêu#Vietnamese

kill two birds with one stone
kill two birds with one stone

chữ Hán form of nhất tiễn song điêu (“to kill two birds with one stone”).


萬事起頭難

vạn sự khởi đầu nan
vạn sự khởi đầu nan#Vietnamese

chữ Hán form of vạn sự khởi đầu nan (“getting started is always the hardest part”).


nhập gia tuỳ tục, nhập giang tuỳ khúc

[ɲəp̚˧˨ʔ zaː˧˧ twi˨˩ tʊwk͡p̚˧˨ʔ ɲəp̚˧˨ʔ zaːŋ˧˧ twi˨˩ xʊwk͡p̚˧˦]

[ɲəp̚˨˩ʔ jaː˧˧ twɪj˦˩ tʊwk͡p̚˨˩ʔ ɲəp̚˨˩ʔ jaːŋ˧˧ twɪj˦˩ kʰʊwk͡p̚˦˧˥]

[ɲəp̚˨˩ʔ jaː˧˧ twɪj˦˩ tʊwk͡p̚˨˩ʔ ɲəp̚˨˩ʔ jaːŋ˧˧ twɪj˦˩ xʊwk͡p̚˦˧˥]

[ɲəp̚˨˩˨ jaː˧˧ t⁽ʷ⁾ɪj˨˩ tʊwk͡p̚˨˩˨ ɲəp̚˨˩˨ jaːŋ˧˧ t⁽ʷ⁾ɪj˨˩ kʰʊwk͡p̚˦˥]

[ɲəp̚˨˩˨ jaː˧˧ t⁽ʷ⁾ɪj˨˩ tʊwk͡p̚˨˩˨ ɲəp̚˨˩˨ jaːŋ˧˧ t⁽ʷ⁾ɪj˨˩ xʊwk͡p̚˦˥]

Sino-Vietnamese word from 入家隨俗，入江隨曲, literally: "enter house, follow customs; enter river, follow bends".

when in Rome, do as the Romans do
when in Rome, do as the Romans do


con trâu là đầu cơ nghiệp

[kɔn˧˧ t͡ɕəw˧˧ laː˨˩ ʔɗəw˨˩ kəː˧˧ ŋiəp̚˧˨ʔ]

[kɔŋ˧˧ ʈəw˧˧ laː˦˩ ʔɗəw˦˩ kəː˧˧ ŋiəp̚˨˩ʔ]

[kɔŋ˧˧ ʈəw˧˧ laː˨˩ ʔɗəw˨˩ kəː˧˧ ŋip̚˨˩˨]

having a water buffalo allows one to start a business


thùng rỗng kêu to

[tʰʊwŋ͡m˨˩ zəwŋ͡m˦ˀ˥ kew˧˧ tɔ˧˧]

[tʰʊwŋ͡m˦˩ ʐəwŋ͡m˧˨ kew˧˧ tɔ˧˧]

[tʰʊwŋ͡m˨˩ ɹəwŋ͡m˨˩˦ kew˧˧ tɔ˧˧]

Cái thằng đó thích dạy đời nhỉ ?
Thùng rỗng kêu to thôi ! Tao thừa biết nó chẳng biết mô tê gì đâu.
He's so goddamn preachy, isn't he?
He's just an empty vessel. I know for a fact he doesn't know squat.

empty vessels make the most sound#English


bé bằng củ khoai, cứ vai mà gọi

[ʔɓɛ˧˦ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ ku˧˩ xwaːj˧˧ kɨ˧˦ vaːj˧˧ maː˨˩ ɣɔj˧˨ʔ]

[ʔɓɛ˨˩˦ ʔɓaŋ˦˩ kʊw˧˨ kʰwaːj˧˧ kɨ˨˩˦ vaːj˧˧ maː˦˩ ɣɔj˨˩ʔ]

[ʔɓɛ˨˩˦ ʔɓaŋ˦˩ kʊw˧˨ xwaːj˧˧ kɨ˨˩˦ vaːj˧˧ maː˦˩ ɣɔj˨˩ʔ]

[ʔɓɛ˦˥ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ kʊw˨˩˦ kʰwaːj˧˧ kɨ˦˥ vaːj˧˧ maː˨˩ ɣɔj˨˩˨]

[ʔɓɛ˦˥ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ kʊw˨˩˦ xwaːj˧˧ kɨ˦˥ jaːj˧˧ maː˨˩ ɣɔj˨˩˨]

Literally, "small as a sweet potato, called by his rank". In Vietnam, people are traditionally referred to (including with honorifics like "grandfather" which superficially invoke age) based on their social rank, not their age, so a low-status old man may refer to a high-status child (who is as "small as a sweet potato") as "grandfather".

(Even if a person is only a child, he is addressed according to social rank.)

Even if a person is only a child; he is addressed according to social rank.; Even if a person is only a child; he is addressed according to social rank.


入家隨俗，入江隨曲

nhập gia tùy tục, nhập giang tùy khúc#Vietnamese

chữ Hán form of nhập gia tùy tục, nhập giang tùy khúc (“when in Rome, do as the Romans do”).


gừng càng già càng cay

[ɣɨŋ˨˩ kaːŋ˨˩ zaː˨˩ kaːŋ˨˩ kaj˧˧]

[ɣɨŋ˦˩ kaːŋ˦˩ jaː˦˩ kaːŋ˦˩ kaj˧˧]

[ɣɨŋ˨˩ kaːŋ˨˩ jaː˨˩ kaːŋ˨˩ ka(ː)j˧˧]

Calque of Chinese 薑越老越辣／姜越老越辣 (jiāngyuèlǎoyuèlà).

cal

(literally) the older the ginger, the hotter the spice

(figurative) the older a person is, the wiser they are; a person is more and more experienced as they age


head

thuận vợ thuận chồng, tát Biển Đông cũng cạn

[tʰwən˧˨ʔ vəː˧˨ʔ tʰwən˧˨ʔ t͡ɕəwŋ͡m˨˩ taːt̚˧˦ ʔɓiən˧˩ ʔɗəwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˦ˀ˥ kaːn˧˨ʔ]

[tʰwəŋ˨˩ʔ vəː˨˩ʔ tʰwəŋ˨˩ʔ t͡ɕəwŋ͡m˦˩ taːk̚˦˧˥ ʔɓiəŋ˧˨ ʔɗəwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˧˨ kaːŋ˨˩ʔ]

[tʰ⁽ʷ⁾əŋ˨˩˨ vəː˨˩˨ tʰ⁽ʷ⁾əŋ˨˩˨ cəwŋ͡m˨˩ taːk̚˦˥ ʔɓiəŋ˨˩˦ ʔɗəwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˨˩˦ kaːŋ˨˩˨]

[tʰ⁽ʷ⁾əŋ˨˩˨ jəː˨˩˨ tʰ⁽ʷ⁾əŋ˨˩˨ cəwŋ͡m˨˩ taːk̚˦˥ ʔɓiəŋ˨˩˦ ʔɗəwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˨˩˦ kaːŋ˨˩˨]

Literally, “If husband and wife are in harmony, they can bail all the water out of the South China Sea”.

lit

"Thuận vợ thuận chồng tát Biển Đông cũng cạn"-câu thành ngữ như gắn vào chuyện tình đẹp của chàng sĩ quan trẻ, Thượng úy Hoàng Đăng Lợi […] và vợ là Nguyễn Thị Thuận[…]

2023, Hoàng Hanh, “Thuận vợ thuận chồng...”, in Báo Quân đội nhân dân:

"If husband and wife are in harmony, they can empty out the South China Sea by slapping it." This proverb seems to be tailored to the beautiful love story of the young Senior Lieutenant Hoàng Đăng Lợi […] and his wife Nguyễn Thị Thuận […]

a harmonious married couple can achieve pretty much anything

thuận vợ thuận chồng, tát bể Đông cũng cạn


gieo gió, gặt bão

[zɛw˧˧ zɔ˧˦ ɣat̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓaːw˦ˀ˥]

[jɛw˧˧ jɔ˨˩˦ ɣak̚˨˩ʔ ʔɓaːw˧˨]

[jɛw˧˧ jɔ˦˥ ɣak̚˨˩˨ ʔɓaːw˨˩˦]

sow the wind, reap the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind

as you sow, so shall you reap
as you sow, so shall you reap

(idiomatic) sow the wind, reap the whirlwind; as you sow, so shall you reap


lạt mềm buộc chặt

[laːt̚˧˨ʔ mem˨˩ ʔɓuək̚˧˨ʔ t͡ɕat̚˧˨ʔ]

[laːk̚˨˩ʔ mem˦˩ ʔɓuək̚˨˩ʔ t͡ɕak̚˨˩ʔ]

[laːk̚˨˩˨ mem˨˩ ʔɓuək̚˨˩˨ cak̚˨˩˨]

lạt (“bamboo straps”) + mềm (“soft”) + buộc (“to tie”) + chặt (“tightly”), i.e. "soft straps (can) tie (more) securely".

com

(figurative) apply gentle affection to strengthen a bond; don't be overbearing; you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar (especially romantically)


năng nhặt chặt bị

[naŋ˧˧ ɲat̚˧˨ʔ t͡ɕat̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓi˧˨ʔ]

[naŋ˧˧ ɲak̚˨˩ʔ t͡ɕak̚˨˩ʔ ʔɓɪj˨˩ʔ]

[naŋ˧˧ ɲak̚˨˩˨ cak̚˨˩˨ ʔɓɪj˨˩˨]

năng (“without fail”) + nhặt (“to pick up”) + chặt (“bursting at the seams”) + bị (“sack”).

(literal) pick up stuff without fail and you'll get a full bag in no time

Học ngoại ngữ thì không vội vàng một sớm một chiều được. Năng nhặt, chặt bị.

When it comes to learning a language, you're not gonna get good overnight. Take your time and you'll get there.

(figurative) save up stuff, such as money or knowledge, and you'll be good to go in no time


nhà ngói cây mít

[ɲaː˨˩ ŋɔj˧˦ kəj˧˧ mit̚˧˦]

[ɲaː˦˩ ŋɔj˨˩˦ kəj˧˧ mit̚˦˧˥]

[ɲaː˨˩ ŋɔj˦˥ kəj˧˧ mɨt̚˦˥]


mỗi cây mỗi hoa, mỗi nhà mỗi cảnh

[moj˦ˀ˥ kəj˧˧ moj˦ˀ˥ hwaː˧˧ moj˦ˀ˥ ɲaː˨˩ moj˦ˀ˥ kajŋ̟˧˩]

[moj˧˨ kəj˧˧ moj˧˨ hwaː˧˧ moj˧˨ ɲaː˦˩ moj˧˨ kɛɲ˧˨]

[moj˨˩˦ kəj˧˧ moj˨˩˦ waː˧˧ moj˨˩˦ ɲaː˨˩ moj˨˩˦ kan˨˩˦]

Different trees have different flowers; different families have different situations. / Every family goes through its own problems.


hổ phụ sinh hổ tử

[ho˧˩ fu˧˨ʔ sïŋ˧˧ ho˧˩ tɨ˧˩]

[how˧˨ fʊw˨˩ʔ ʂɨn˧˧ how˧˨ tɨ˧˨]

[how˧˨ fʊw˨˩ʔ sɨn˧˧ how˧˨ tɨ˧˨]

[how˨˩˦ fʊw˨˩˨ ʂɨn˧˧ how˨˩˦ tɨ˨˩˦]

[how˨˩˦ fʊw˨˩˨ sɨn˧˧ how˨˩˦ tɨ˨˩˦]

Sino-Vietnamese word from 虎父生虎子. Compare Chinese 虎父無犬子／虎父无犬子 (hổ phụ vô khuyển tử).

cog

(literal) father tigers produce child tigers

like great father, like great son
like father, like son#English

(figurative) like great father, like great son


nhập gia tùy tục, nhập giang tùy khúc

nhập gia tuỳ tục, đáo giang tuỳ khúc#Vietnamese

Alternative spelling of nhập gia tuỳ tục, đáo giang tuỳ khúc


đứng núi này trông núi kia

[ʔɗɨŋ˧˦ nuj˧˦ naj˨˩ t͡ɕəwŋ͡m˧˧ nuj˧˦ kiə˧˧]

[ʔɗɨŋ˦˧˥ nuj˨˩˦ naj˦˩ ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ nuj˨˩˦ kiə˧˧]

[ʔɗɨŋ˦˥ nuj˦˥ na(ː)j˨˩ ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ nuj˦˥ kiə˧˧]

đứng núi này trông núi nọ
đứng núi này trông núi nọ#Vietnamese

Alternative form of đứng núi này trông núi nọ


đứng núi này trông núi nọ

[ʔɗɨŋ˧˦ nuj˧˦ naj˨˩ t͡ɕəwŋ͡m˧˧ nuj˧˦ nɔ˧˨ʔ]

[ʔɗɨŋ˦˧˥ nuj˨˩˦ naj˦˩ ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ nuj˨˩˦ nɔ˨˩ʔ]

[ʔɗɨŋ˦˥ nuj˦˥ na(ː)j˨˩ ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ nuj˦˥ nɔ˨˩˨]

Literally “standing on one mountain, gazing at another”. Compare Chinese 這山望著那山高／这山望著那山高 (zhè shān wàng zhe nà shān gāo).

ncog

the grass is always greener on the other side.


thương người như thể thương thân

[tʰɨəŋ˧˧ ŋɨəj˨˩ ɲɨ˧˧ tʰe˧˩ tʰɨəŋ˧˧ tʰən˧˧]

[tʰɨəŋ˧˧ ŋɨj˦˩ ɲɨ˧˧ tʰej˧˨ tʰɨəŋ˧˧ tʰəŋ˧˧]

[tʰɨəŋ˧˧ ŋɨj˨˩ ɲɨ˧˧ tʰej˨˩˦ tʰɨəŋ˧˧ tʰəŋ˧˧]


khôn ba năm, dại một giờ

[xon˧˧ ʔɓaː˧˧ nam˧˧ zaːj˧˨ʔ mot̚˧˨ʔ zəː˨˩]

[kʰoŋ˧˧ ʔɓaː˧˧ nam˧˧ jaːj˨˩ʔ mok̚˨˩ʔ jəː˦˩]

[xoŋ˧˧ ʔɓaː˧˧ nam˧˧ jaːj˨˩ʔ mok̚˨˩ʔ jəː˦˩]

[kʰoŋ˧˧ ʔɓaː˧˧ nam˧˧ jaːj˨˩˨ mok̚˨˩˨ jəː˨˩]

[xoŋ˧˧ ʔɓaː˧˧ nam˧˧ jaːj˨˩˨ mok̚˨˩˨ jəː˨˩]

Calque of Chinese 聰明一世，糊塗一時／聪明一世，糊涂一时 (thông minh nhất thế, hồ đồ nhất thời) (or similar proverbs).

calque

Even Homer sometimes nods
even Homer sometimes nods

Even smart people can have a momentary lapse in judgement. / Even Homer sometimes nods.

It only takes an hour of stupidity (dại một giờ) to negate the smartness of three years (khôn ba năm)


một giọt máu đào hơn ao nước lã

[mot̚˧˨ʔ zɔt̚˧˨ʔ maw˧˦ ʔɗaːw˨˩ həːn˧˧ ʔaːw˧˧ nɨək̚˧˦ laː˦ˀ˥]

[mok̚˨˩ʔ jɔk̚˨˩ʔ maw˨˩˦ ʔɗaːw˦˩ həːŋ˧˧ ʔaːw˧˧ nɨək̚˦˧˥ laː˧˨]

[mok̚˨˩˨ jɔk̚˨˩˨ ma(ː)w˦˥ ʔɗaːw˨˩ həːŋ˧˧ ʔaːw˧˧ nɨək̚˦˥ laː˨˩˦]

(literal) a peachy drop of blood is more precious than well water

blood is thicker than water
blood is thicker than water

(figurative) blood is thicker than water


có công mài sắt có ngày nên kim

[kɔ˧˦ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ maːj˨˩ sat̚˧˦ kɔ˧˦ ŋaj˨˩ nen˧˧ kim˧˧]

[kɔ˨˩˦ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ maːj˦˩ ʂak̚˦˧˥ kɔ˨˩˦ ŋaj˦˩ nen˧˧ kim˧˧]

[kɔ˨˩˦ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ maːj˦˩ sak̚˦˧˥ kɔ˨˩˦ ŋaj˦˩ nen˧˧ kim˧˧]

[kɔ˦˥ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ maːj˨˩ ʂak̚˦˥ kɔ˦˥ ŋa(ː)j˨˩ nəːn˧˧ kim˧˧]

[kɔ˦˥ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ maːj˨˩ sak̚˦˥ kɔ˦˥ ŋa(ː)j˨˩ nəːn˧˧ kim˧˧]

Calque of Chinese 只要功夫深，鐵杵磨成針／只要功夫深，铁杵磨成针 (chỉ yếu công phu thâm, thiết xử ma thành châm).

(literal) if one grinds iron long enough, some day it will become a needle

Practice makes perfect.
practice makes perfect

Diligence is the mother of success.
diligence is the mother of success

(figurative) Practice makes perfect. / Diligence is the mother of success.


nhất gái hơn hai, nhì trai hơn một

[ɲət̚˧˦ ɣaːj˧˦ həːn˧˧ haːj˧˧ ɲi˨˩ t͡ɕaːj˧˧ həːn˧˧ mot̚˧˨ʔ]

[ɲək̚˦˧˥ ɣaːj˨˩˦ həːŋ˧˧ haːj˧˧ ɲɪj˦˩ ʈaːj˧˧ həːŋ˧˧ mok̚˨˩ʔ]

[ɲək̚˦˥ ɣaːj˦˥ həːŋ˧˧ haːj˧˧ ɲɪj˨˩ ʈaːj˧˧ həːŋ˧˧ mok̚˨˩˨]

A husband who is two years older than the wife, or a wife one year older than the husband, is desirable.


một công đôi việc

[mot̚˧˨ʔ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗoj˧˧ viək̚˧˨ʔ]

[mok̚˨˩ʔ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗoj˧˧ viək̚˨˩ʔ]

[mok̚˨˩˨ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗoj˧˧ viək̚˨˩˨]

[mok̚˨˩˨ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗoj˧˧ jiək̚˨˩˨]

một (“one”) + công (“labor”) + đôi (“double”) + việc (“job”), possibly a word play on công việc.


nhất cử lưỡng tiện

[ɲət̚˧˦ kɨ˧˩ lɨəŋ˦ˀ˥ tiən˧˨ʔ]

[ɲək̚˦˧˥ kɨ˧˨ lɨəŋ˧˨ tiəŋ˨˩ʔ]

[ɲək̚˦˥ kɨ˨˩˦ lɨəŋ˨˩˦ tiəŋ˨˩˨]


nhất tiễn song điêu

[ɲət̚˧˦ tiən˦ˀ˥ sawŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗiəw˧˧]

[ɲək̚˦˧˥ tiəŋ˧˨ ʂawŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗiw˧˧]

[ɲək̚˦˧˥ tiəŋ˧˨ sɔŋ˧˧ ʔɗiw˧˧]

[ɲək̚˦˥ tiəŋ˨˩˦ ʂawŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗiw˧˧]

[ɲək̚˦˥ tiəŋ˨˩˦ sawŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗiw˧˧]


một công đôi chuyện

[mot̚˧˨ʔ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗoj˧˧ t͡ɕwiən˧˨ʔ]

[mok̚˨˩ʔ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗoj˧˧ t͡ɕwiəŋ˨˩ʔ]

[mok̚˨˩˨ kəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɗoj˧˧ c⁽ʷ⁾iəŋ˨˩˨]

một (“one”) + công (“labor”) + đôi (“double”) + chuyện (“job, matter”)


mèo già hoá cáo

[mɛw˨˩ zaː˨˩ hwaː˧˦ kaːw˧˦]

[mɛw˦˩ jaː˦˩ hwaː˨˩˦ kaːw˨˩˦]

[mɛw˨˩ jaː˨˩ waː˦˥ kaːw˦˥]

(literal) when a cat is old enough, it will turn into a fox

(figurative, disapproving) the older someone is, the more cunning they become


nhất nam viết hữu, thập nữ viết vô

[ɲət̚˧˦ naːm˧˧ viət̚˧˦ hiw˦ˀ˥ tʰəp̚˧˨ʔ nɨ˦ˀ˥ viət̚˧˦ vo˧˧]

[ɲək̚˦˧˥ naːm˧˧ viək̚˦˧˥ hɨw˧˨ tʰəp̚˨˩ʔ nɨ˧˨ viək̚˦˧˥ vow˧˧]

[ɲək̚˦˥ naːm˧˧ viək̚˦˥ hɨw˨˩˦ tʰəp̚˨˩˨ nɨ˨˩˦ viək̚˦˥ vow˧˧]

[ɲək̚˦˥ naːm˧˧ jiək̚˦˥ hɨw˨˩˦ tʰəp̚˨˩˨ nɨ˨˩˦ jiək̚˦˥ jow˧˧]

Sino-Vietnamese word from 一 (“one”), 男 (“male”), 曰 (“means”) and 有 (“yes”)
and Sino-Vietnamese word from 十 (“ten”), 女 (“female”), 曰 (“means”) and 無 (“no”)

vi-etym-sino

(literal) one boy means one, ten girls mean none


đàn ông xây nhà, đàn bà xây tổ ấm

[ʔɗaːn˨˩ ʔəwŋ͡m˧˧ səj˧˧ ɲaː˨˩ ʔɗaːn˨˩ ʔɓaː˨˩ səj˧˧ to˧˩ ʔəm˧˦]

[ʔɗaːŋ˦˩ ʔəwŋ͡m˧˧ səj˧˧ ɲaː˦˩ ʔɗaːŋ˦˩ ʔɓaː˦˩ səj˧˧ tow˧˨ ʔəm˦˧˥]

[ʔɗaːŋ˨˩ ʔəwŋ͡m˧˧ səj˧˧ ɲaː˨˩ ʔɗaːŋ˨˩ ʔɓaː˨˩ səj˧˧ tow˨˩˦ ʔəm˦˥]


head

[ʔɗem˧˧ tʰaːŋ˧˦ nam˧˧ t͡ɕɨə˧˧ nam˨˩ ʔɗaː˦ˀ˥ saːŋ˧˦ ŋaj˨˩ tʰaːŋ˧˦ mɨəj˨˩ t͡ɕɨə˧˧ kɨəj˨˩ ʔɗaː˦ˀ˥ toj˧˦]

[ʔɗem˧˧ tʰaːŋ˦˧˥ nam˧˧ t͡ɕɨə˧˧ nam˦˩ ʔɗaː˧˨ ʂaːŋ˦˧˥ ŋaj˦˩ tʰaːŋ˦˧˥ mɨj˦˩ t͡ɕɨə˧˧ kɨj˦˩ ʔɗaː˧˨ toj˨˩˦]

[ʔɗem˧˧ tʰaːŋ˦˧˥ nam˧˧ t͡ɕɨə˧˧ nam˦˩ ʔɗaː˧˨ saːŋ˦˧˥ ŋaj˦˩ tʰaːŋ˦˧˥ mɨj˦˩ t͡ɕɨə˧˧ kɨj˦˩ ʔɗaː˧˨ toj˨˩˦]

[ʔɗem˧˧ tʰaːŋ˦˥ nam˧˧ cɨə˧˧ nam˨˩ ʔɗaː˨˩˦ ʂaːŋ˦˥ ŋa(ː)j˨˩ tʰaːŋ˦˥ mɨj˨˩ cɨə˧˧ kɨj˨˩ ʔɗaː˨˩˦ toj˦˥]

[ʔɗem˧˧ tʰaːŋ˦˥ nam˧˧ cɨə˧˧ nam˨˩ ʔɗaː˨˩˦ saːŋ˦˥ ŋa(ː)j˨˩ tʰaːŋ˦˥ mɨj˨˩ cɨə˧˧ kɨj˨˩ ʔɗaː˨˩˦ toj˦˥]

LL-Q9199 (vie)-Penn Zero MSSJ-đêm tháng năm chưa nằm đã sáng, ngày tháng mười chưa cười đã tối.wav

(literal) during May nights you can barely rest before the sun rises, and during October days you can barely have fun before it sets

(figurative) May nights are shorter and October days are longer than usual


núi cao còn có núi cao hơn

[nuj˧˦ kaːw˧˧ kɔn˨˩ kɔ˧˦ nuj˧˦ kaːw˧˧ həːn˧˧]

[nuj˨˩˦ kaːw˧˧ kɔŋ˦˩ kɔ˨˩˦ nuj˨˩˦ kaːw˧˧ həːŋ˧˧]

[nuj˦˥ kaːw˧˧ kɔŋ˨˩ kɔ˦˥ nuj˦˥ kaːw˧˧ həːŋ˧˧]

Literally "for every high mountain there is an even higher mountain". Compare Chinese 一山還有一山高／一山还有一山高 (nhất sơn hoàn hữu nhất sơn cao).

ncog

do not be smug about your achievements, as there are always people who do even better


lá lành đùm lá rách

[laː˧˦ lajŋ̟˨˩ ʔɗum˨˩ laː˧˦ zajk̟̚˧˦]

[laː˨˩˦ lɛɲ˦˩ ʔɗum˦˩ laː˨˩˦ ʐat̚˦˧˥]

[laː˦˥ lan˨˩ ʔɗʊm˨˩ laː˦˥ ɹat̚˦˥]

Literally "healthy leaves envelop torn leaves".


trâu già gặm cỏ non

[t͡ɕəw˧˧ zaː˨˩ ɣam˧˨ʔ kɔ˧˩ nɔn˧˧]

[ʈəw˧˧ jaː˦˩ ɣam˨˩ʔ kɔ˧˨ nɔŋ˧˧]

[ʈəw˧˧ jaː˨˩ ɣam˨˩˨ kɔ˨˩˦ nɔŋ˧˧]

Compare Chinese 老牛吃嫩草 (lǎoniú chī nèncǎo).


trâu buộc ghét trâu ăn

[t͡ɕəw˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˧˨ʔ ɣɛt̚˧˦ t͡ɕəw˧˧ ʔan˧˧]

[ʈəw˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˨˩ʔ ɣɛt̚˦˧˥ ʈəw˧˧ ʔaŋ˧˧]

[ʈəw˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˨˩˨ ɣɛk̚˦˥ ʈəw˧˧ ʔaŋ˧˧]

(literal) The chained water buffalo hates the water buffalo that grazes.

(figurative) those who have a hard time tend to be jealous of those who are better off


tiền nào của đó

[tiən˨˩ naːw˨˩ kuə˧˩ ʔɗɔ˧˦]

[tiəŋ˦˩ naːw˦˩ kuə˧˨ ʔɗɔ˨˩˦]

[tiəŋ˨˩ naːw˨˩ kuə˨˩˦ ʔɗɔ˦˥]

tiền (“money”) + nào (“any”) + của (“property”) + đó (“that”)

compound

(literally) However much money there is, there is property to go with it.

you get what you pay for
you get what you pay for


đời cha ăn mặn, đời con khát nước

[ʔɗəːj˨˩ t͡ɕaː˧˧ ʔan˧˧ man˧˨ʔ ʔɗəːj˨˩ kɔn˧˧ xaːt̚˧˦ nɨək̚˧˦]

[ʔɗəːj˦˩ t͡ɕaː˧˧ ʔaŋ˧˧ maŋ˨˩ʔ ʔɗəːj˦˩ kɔŋ˧˧ kʰaːk̚˦˧˥ nɨək̚˦˧˥]

[ʔɗəːj˦˩ t͡ɕaː˧˧ ʔaŋ˧˧ maŋ˨˩ʔ ʔɗəːj˦˩ kɔŋ˧˧ xaːk̚˦˧˥ nɨək̚˦˧˥]

[ʔɗəːj˨˩ caː˧˧ ʔaŋ˧˧ maŋ˨˩˨ ʔɗəːj˨˩ kɔŋ˧˧ kʰaːk̚˦˥ nɨək̚˦˥]

[ʔɗəːj˨˩ caː˧˧ ʔaŋ˧˧ maŋ˨˩˨ ʔɗəːj˨˩ kɔŋ˧˧ xaːk̚˦˥ nɨək̚˦˥]

đời (“generation”) + cha (“father”) + ăn mặn (“to eat salty food”) + đời + con (“child”) + khát (“thirst”) + nước (“water”).

af

(literally) When the father's generation eats salty food, the children's generation thirsts for water.

What goes around comes around
what goes around comes around


vạn sự khởi đầu nan

[vaːn˧˨ʔ sɨ˧˨ʔ xəːj˧˩ ʔɗəw˨˩ naːn˧˧]

[vaːŋ˨˩ʔ ʂɨ˨˩ʔ kʰəːj˧˨ ʔɗəw˦˩ naːŋ˧˧]

[vaːŋ˨˩ʔ sɨ˨˩ʔ xəːj˧˨ ʔɗəw˦˩ naːŋ˧˧]

[vaːŋ˨˩˨ ʂɨ˨˩˨ kʰəːj˨˩˦ ʔɗəw˨˩ naːŋ˧˧]

[jaːŋ˨˩˨ sɨ˨˩˨ xəːj˨˩˦ ʔɗəw˨˩ naːŋ˧˧]


chó cứ sủa còn đoàn người cứ đi

[t͡ɕɔ˧˦ kɨ˧˦ suə˧˩ kɔn˨˩ ʔɗwaːn˨˩ ŋɨəj˨˩ kɨ˧˦ ʔɗi˧˧]

[t͡ɕɔ˨˩˦ kɨ˨˩˦ ʂuə˧˨ kɔŋ˦˩ ʔɗwaːŋ˦˩ ŋɨj˦˩ kɨ˨˩˦ ʔɗɪj˧˧]

[t͡ɕɔ˨˩˦ kɨ˨˩˦ suə˧˨ kɔŋ˦˩ ʔɗwaːŋ˦˩ ŋɨj˦˩ kɨ˨˩˦ ʔɗɪj˧˧]

[cɔ˦˥ kɨ˦˥ ʂuə˨˩˦ kɔŋ˨˩ ʔɗwaːŋ˨˩ ŋɨj˨˩ kɨ˦˥ ʔɗɪj˧˧]

[cɔ˦˥ kɨ˦˥ suə˨˩˦ kɔŋ˨˩ ʔɗwaːŋ˨˩ ŋɨj˨˩ kɨ˦˥ ʔɗɪj˧˧]

The saying is found in many languages from the Middle East to India. In Turkish and Azerbaijani, it rhymes (Turkish it ürür, kervan yürür, and Azerbaijani it hürər, karvan keçər), suggesting that of Turkic languages may be the origin. Some scholars claim that the proverb is originally Arabic. The saying is also found in Portuguese (Portuguese os cães ladram, mas a caravana passa), which could be explained by Arab presence in the country between 8th and 13th centuries.

cog

the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on
the dogs bark, but the caravan goes on


mỗi người một nẻo

[moj˦ˀ˥ ŋɨəj˨˩ mot̚˧˨ʔ nɛw˧˩]

[moj˧˨ ŋɨj˦˩ mok̚˨˩ʔ nɛw˧˨]

[moj˨˩˦ ŋɨj˨˩ mok̚˨˩˨ nɛw˨˩˦]

mỗi (“each”) + người (“person”) + một (“one”) + nẻo (“way”).

compound

to each his own (every person is entitled to his or her personal preferences and tastes)


chim có tổ, người có tông

[t͡ɕim˧˧ kɔ˧˦ to˧˩ ŋɨəj˨˩ kɔ˧˦ təwŋ͡m˧˧]

[t͡ɕim˧˧ kɔ˨˩˦ tow˧˨ ŋɨj˦˩ kɔ˨˩˦ təwŋ͡m˧˧]

[cim˧˧ kɔ˦˥ tow˨˩˦ ŋɨj˨˩ kɔ˦˥ təwŋ͡m˧˧]

tổ has two meanings, native Vietnamese "nest" and Sino-Vietnamese "ancestor".

(literal) birds have nests, people have lineages

(figurative) one should never forget about one's ancestry


cháy nhà mới ra mặt chuột

(literal) when the house burns, the rodents show their faces; only after the house is incinerated will people who burn it show their mousy faces

Có câu "cháy nhà mới ra mặt chuột". Sau khi công ti vỡ nợ, mọi người biết chân tướng của tên giám đốc tham ô đồi bại.

They say "the rats will come out when the house burns". True enough, after the company filed for bankruptcy, everyone learned about the face of corruption and debauchery that is the president.

(figurative) when there's a fallout, breakdown or collapse, the bad actors or the corrupt that've hidden behind the scenes this whole time will have no choice but show their true identities; only when everything fails will the bad people be known behind the failure


vỏ quýt dày có móng tay nhọn

(literal) a mandarin orange with thick skin will be dealt with by sharp fingernails

(figurative) it doesn't matter how smart or cunning you are, there's always someone else better to take you down


con sâu làm rầu nồi canh

(literal) one caterpillar spoils the broth pot

(figurative) one bad apple spoils the bunch


cái nết đánh chết cái đẹp

(literal) good personality strikes beauty dead

(figurative) good personality is way more important than outer beauty


nhàn cư vi bất thiện

Sino-Vietnamese word from 閒居 (“being idle”), 為 (“is”) and 不善 (“no good”), a quote from the Great Learning.

vi-etym-sino

if people have nothing better to do, they'll do stupid or harmful things


đi đêm lắm có ngày gặp ma

(literal) keep wandering at night and you'll see a ghost eventually

(figurative) keep doing bad things and you'll get caught eventually


cha mẹ sinh con, trời sinh tính

[t͡ɕaː˧˧ mɛ˧˨ʔ sïŋ˧˧ kɔn˧˧ t͡ɕəːj˨˩ sïŋ˧˧ tïŋ˧˦]

[t͡ɕaː˧˧ mɛ˨˩ʔ ʂɨn˧˧ kɔŋ˧˧ ʈəːj˦˩ ʂɨn˧˧ tɨn˦˧˥]

[t͡ɕaː˧˧ mɛ˨˩ʔ sɨn˧˧ kɔŋ˧˧ ʈəːj˦˩ sɨn˧˧ tɨn˦˧˥]

[caː˧˧ mɛ˨˩˨ ʂɨn˧˧ kɔŋ˧˧ ʈəːj˨˩ ʂɨn˧˧ tɨn˦˥]

[caː˧˧ mɛ˨˩˨ sɨn˧˧ kɔŋ˧˧ ʈəːj˨˩ sɨn˧˧ tɨn˦˥]

(literal) parents may be the ones who birth their children, but it's heaven who gives them their personality

Thằng cu con em lì lắm, nói mấy cũng không nghe !
Cha mẹ sinh con, trời sinh tính.
My son is so stubborn, my words can't get through to him!
I suppose you can't pass down obedience.

(figurative) personality/character isn't biologically inherited from parents


hữu xạ tự nhiên hương

(literal) if you have musk, you'll naturally smell good

(figurative) if you're talented, you'll have your chance to shine


trăm nghe không bằng mắt thấy

[t͡ɕam˧˧ ŋɛ˧˧ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ mat̚˧˦ tʰəj˧˦]

[ʈam˧˧ ŋɛ˧˧ kʰəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˦˩ mak̚˦˧˥ tʰəj˨˩˦]

[ʈam˧˧ ŋɛ˧˧ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˦˩ mak̚˦˧˥ tʰəj˨˩˦]

[ʈam˧˧ ŋɛ˧˧ kʰəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ mak̚˦˥ tʰəj˦˥]

[ʈam˧˧ ŋɛ˧˧ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ mak̚˦˥ tʰəj˦˥]

Calque of Literary Chinese 百聞不如一見 (bách văn bất như nhất kiến).

cal

a picture is worth a thousand words
a picture is worth a thousand words

a picture is worth a thousand words; seeing is believing


tiên học lễ, hậu học văn

(literal) learn manners first, then learn literature

(figurative) learn your manners before you learn anything else; it doesn't matter how smart you are, you have to know your manners first and foremost


nhà sạch thì mát, bát sạch ngon cơm

Literally: a clean house feels fresh, a clean bowl makes rice taste good.


lửa thử vàng, gian nan thử sức

(literal) fire tests gold, hardship tests strength

(figurative) only hardship can test your ability and endurance; to be better, you need to put yourself through hardship


con có cha như nhà có nóc

Literally "a child with a father is like a house with a roof".

"children need their fathers to be complete"


nhất nhật vi sư, chung thân vi phụ

[ɲət̚˧˦ ɲət̚˧˨ʔ vi˧˧ sɨ˧˧ t͡ɕʊwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰən˧˧ vi˧˧ fu˧˨ʔ]

[ɲək̚˦˧˥ ɲək̚˨˩ʔ vɪj˧˧ ʂɨ˧˧ t͡ɕʊwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰəŋ˧˧ vɪj˧˧ fʊw˨˩ʔ]

[ɲək̚˦˧˥ ɲək̚˨˩ʔ vɪj˧˧ sɨ˧˧ t͡ɕʊwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰəŋ˧˧ vɪj˧˧ fʊw˨˩ʔ]

[ɲək̚˦˥ ɲək̚˨˩˨ vɪj˧˧ ʂɨ˧˧ cʊwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰəŋ˧˧ vɪj˧˧ fʊw˨˩˨]

[ɲək̚˦˥ ɲək̚˨˩˨ jɪj˧˧ sɨ˧˧ cʊwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰəŋ˧˧ jɪj˧˧ fʊw˨˩˨]

He who teaches you, even for a day, should be regarded as your father for the rest of your life.


Bụt nhà không thiêng

[ʔɓut̚˧˨ʔ ɲaː˨˩ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰiəŋ˧˧]

[ʔɓʊk̚˨˩ʔ ɲaː˦˩ kʰəwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰiəŋ˧˧]

[ʔɓʊk̚˨˩ʔ ɲaː˦˩ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰiəŋ˧˧]

[ʔɓʊk͡p̚˨˩˨ ɲaː˨˩ kʰəwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰiəŋ˧˧]

[ʔɓʊk͡p̚˨˩˨ ɲaː˨˩ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ tʰiəŋ˧˧]

familiarity breeds contempt
familiarity breeds contempt


lời chào cao hơn mâm cỗ

[ləːj˨˩ t͡ɕaːw˨˩ kaːw˧˧ həːn˧˧ məm˧˧ ko˦ˀ˥]

[ləːj˦˩ t͡ɕaːw˦˩ kaːw˧˧ həːŋ˧˧ məm˧˧ kow˧˨]

[ləːj˨˩ caːw˨˩ kaːw˧˧ həːŋ˧˧ məm˧˧ kow˨˩˦]

it's better to greet someone with respect than to serve him an auspicious meal


tầm sư học đạo

[təm˨˩ sɨ˧˧ hawk͡p̚˧˨ʔ ʔɗaːw˧˨ʔ]

[təm˦˩ ʂɨ˧˧ hawk͡p̚˨˩ʔ ʔɗaːw˨˩ʔ]

[təm˦˩ sɨ˧˧ hawk͡p̚˨˩ʔ ʔɗaːw˨˩ʔ]

[təm˨˩ ʂɨ˧˧ hawk͡p̚˨˩˨ ʔɗaːw˨˩˨]

[təm˨˩ sɨ˧˧ hawk͡p̚˨˩˨ ʔɗaːw˨˩˨]

(figurative) one must seek out a good teacher to learn the true way of life


bán anh em xa mua láng giềng gần

[ʔɓaːn˧˦ ʔajŋ̟˧˧ ʔɛm˧˧ saː˧˧ muə˧˧ laːŋ˧˦ ziəŋ˨˩ ɣən˨˩]

[ʔɓaːŋ˦˧˥ ʔɛɲ˧˧ ʔɛm˧˧ saː˧˧ muə˧˧ laːŋ˦˧˥ jiəŋ˦˩ ɣəŋ˦˩]

[ʔɓaːŋ˦˥ ʔan˧˧ ʔɛm˧˧ saː˧˧ muə˧˧ laːŋ˦˥ jiəŋ˨˩ ɣəŋ˨˩]

(literal) one would sell one's distant brothers and sisters to buy a close neighbor

(figurative) a near neighbor is better than a far-dwelling kinsman


đất có lề quê có thói

[ʔɗət̚˧˦ kɔ˧˦ le˨˩ kwe˧˧ kɔ˧˦ tʰɔj˧˦]

[ʔɗək̚˦˧˥ kɔ˨˩˦ lej˦˩ kwej˧˧ kɔ˨˩˦ tʰɔj˨˩˦]

[ʔɗək̚˦˥ kɔ˦˥ lej˨˩ wej˧˧ kɔ˦˥ tʰɔj˦˥]

(figurative) the customs and habits of each region must be respected


đất lề quê thói

[ʔɗət̚˧˦ le˨˩ kwe˧˧ tʰɔj˧˦]

[ʔɗək̚˦˧˥ lej˦˩ kwej˧˧ tʰɔj˨˩˦]

[ʔɗək̚˦˥ lej˨˩ wej˧˧ tʰɔj˦˥]


giàu vì bạn, sang vì vợ

(literal) men tend to act rich to their friends, classy to their wives

(figurative) men tend to put on different façades when dealing with their friends and their wives

(literal) men are rich thanks to their friends, classy thanks to their wives

(figurative) friends and wives are invaluable to men


head

trông lên thì chẳng bằng ai, trông xuống thì cũng chẳng ai bằng mình

[t͡ɕəwŋ͡m˧˧ len˧˧ tʰi˨˩ t͡ɕaŋ˧˩ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ ʔaːj˧˧ t͡ɕəwŋ͡m˧˧ suəŋ˧˦ tʰi˨˩ kʊwŋ͡m˦ˀ˥ t͡ɕaŋ˧˩ ʔaːj˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ mïŋ˨˩]

[ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ len˧˧ tʰɪj˦˩ t͡ɕaŋ˧˨ ʔɓaŋ˦˩ ʔaːj˧˧ ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ suəŋ˦˧˥ tʰɪj˦˩ kʊwŋ͡m˧˨ t͡ɕaŋ˧˨ ʔaːj˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˦˩ mɨn˦˩]

[ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ ləːn˧˧ tʰɪj˨˩ caŋ˨˩˦ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ ʔaːj˧˧ ʈəwŋ͡m˧˧ suəŋ˦˥ tʰɪj˨˩ kʊwŋ͡m˨˩˦ caŋ˨˩˦ ʔaːj˧˧ ʔɓaŋ˨˩ mɨn˨˩]

nhìn lên mình không bằng ai, nhìn xuống không ai bằng mình

(literally) Looking up, I am no one's equal; looking down, no one is my equal either.

(figuratively) Strive for success but be considerate of others.


nhất nước, nhì phân, tam cần, tứ giống

(agriculture) in order of priority for successful culture, water, manure/fertilizer, hard work, cultivars

nhất canh trì, nhị canh viên, tam canh điền


nhất canh trì, nhị canh viên, tam canh điền

nhất canh trì, nhì canh viên, tam canh điền

(literal) first cultivate the pond, second cultivate the garden, third cultivate the paddy

(agriculture) in order of ease, low overhead and profitability, aquaculture, horticulture and rice culture


phúc bất trùng lai, họa vô đơn chí

[fʊwk͡p̚˧˦ ʔɓət̚˧˦ t͡ɕʊwŋ͡m˨˩ laːj˧˧ hwaː˧˨ʔ vo˧˧ ʔɗəːn˧˧ t͡ɕi˧˦]

[fʊwk͡p̚˦˧˥ ʔɓək̚˦˧˥ ʈʊwŋ͡m˦˩ laːj˧˧ hwaː˨˩ʔ vow˧˧ ʔɗəːŋ˧˧ t͡ɕɪj˨˩˦]

[fʊwk͡p̚˦˥ ʔɓək̚˦˥ ʈʊwŋ͡m˨˩ laːj˧˧ waː˨˩˨ vow˧˧ ʔɗəːŋ˧˧ cɪj˦˥]

[fʊwk͡p̚˦˥ ʔɓək̚˦˥ ʈʊwŋ͡m˨˩ laːj˧˧ waː˨˩˨ jow˧˧ ʔɗəːŋ˧˧ cɪj˦˥]

Sino-Vietnamese reading of 福不重來，禍無單至; based on 福不重至，禍必重來／福不重至，祸必重来 (phúc bất trùng chí, họa tất trùng lai).

zh-l

Shi Nai'an, Water Margin, Ch. 36; Vietnamese translation by Trần Tuấn Khải

Song Jiang, upon hearing that, clutched the two guards tightly and moaned: "Good Heavens, woe is me! Indeed, blessings never come in pair; disasters never come singly!"

Tống Giang nghe nói níu lấy hai người công sai mà kêu rằng: "Khổ lắm trời ơi! Thực là phúc bất trùng lai, họa vô đơn chí!"

2011, Hoàng Đình Trung MD, "Báo SK&ĐS - Ân nhân của tôi (Health and Life Newspaper - My Benefactor)" Health and Life Newspaper

We urgently determined to save the life of the woman in childbirth yet with every moment the situation became more and more critical. Indeed, “blessings never come in pair; disasters never come singly”.

Chúng tôi khẩn trương quyết cứu sản phụ nhưng tình hình mỗi lúc một nguy kịch. Thật là “Phúc bất trùng lai, họa vô đơn chí”.

opportunity seldom knocks twice
opportunity seldom knocks twice

misfortunes never come singly
misfortunes never come singly

Blessings do not come in pair, disasters do not come singly; opportunity seldom knocks twice, misfortunes never come singly


thất bại là mẹ thành công

[tʰət̚˧˦ ʔɓaːj˧˨ʔ laː˨˩ mɛ˧˨ʔ tʰajŋ̟˨˩ kəwŋ͡m˧˧]

[tʰək̚˦˧˥ ʔɓaːj˨˩ʔ laː˦˩ mɛ˨˩ʔ tʰɛɲ˦˩ kəwŋ͡m˧˧]

[tʰək̚˦˥ ʔɓaːj˨˩˨ laː˨˩ mɛ˨˩˨ tʰan˨˩ kəwŋ͡m˧˧]

thất bại (“failure”) + là (“to be”) + mẹ (“mother”) + thành công (“success”), calque of Chinese 失敗是成功之母／失败是成功之母 (thất bại thị thành công chi mẫu)

cal

Đừng có bỏ cuộc! Thất bại là mẹ thành công mà!

Don't give up! Fail this time and you'll succeed next time!


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con nhà tông không giống lông cũng giống cánh

[kɔn˧˧ ɲaː˨˩ təwŋ͡m˧˧ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ zəwŋ͡m˧˦ ləwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˦ˀ˥ zəwŋ͡m˧˦ kajŋ̟˧˦]

[kɔŋ˧˧ ɲaː˦˩ təwŋ͡m˧˧ kʰəwŋ͡m˧˧ jəwŋ͡m˦˧˥ ləwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˧˨ jəwŋ͡m˦˧˥ kɛɲ˦˧˥]

[kɔŋ˧˧ ɲaː˦˩ təwŋ͡m˧˧ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ jəwŋ͡m˦˧˥ ləwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˧˨ jəwŋ͡m˦˧˥ kɛɲ˦˧˥]

[kɔŋ˧˧ ɲaː˨˩ təwŋ͡m˧˧ kʰəwŋ͡m˧˧ jəwŋ͡m˦˥ ləwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˨˩˦ jəwŋ͡m˦˥ kan˦˥]

[kɔŋ˧˧ ɲaː˨˩ təwŋ͡m˧˧ xəwŋ͡m˧˧ jəwŋ͡m˦˥ ləwŋ͡m˧˧ kʊwŋ͡m˨˩˦ jəwŋ͡m˦˥ kan˦˥]

One (obsolete) variant of this phrase is attested in the Dictionarium anamitico-latinum (1772 manuscript) as con công chẳng giống lông thì giống cánh (literally “even a peachick that is different in its plumage would still be similar in its wings”).
Considering that both variants contain lông (“feather”) and cánh (“wing”), it is likely that the obsolete one, which has công (“peafowl”), is more conservative of the two. The modern form arose from the substitution of công (“peafowl”) for its rhyme nhà tông (“(of) genuine lineage”).

like father, like son
like father, like son


ăn cơm quốc gia, thờ ma cộng sản

[ʔan˧˧ kəːm˧˧ kuək̚˧˦ zaː˧˧ tʰəː˨˩ maː˧˧ kəwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ saːn˧˩]

[ʔaŋ˧˧ kəːm˧˧ kuək̚˦˧˥ jaː˧˧ tʰəː˦˩ maː˧˧ kəwŋ͡m˨˩ʔ ʂaːŋ˧˨]

[ʔaŋ˧˧ kəːm˧˧ kuək̚˦˧˥ jaː˧˧ tʰəː˦˩ maː˧˧ kəwŋ͡m˨˩ʔ saːŋ˧˨]

[ʔaŋ˧˧ kəːm˧˧ wək̚˦˥ jaː˧˧ tʰəː˨˩ maː˧˧ kəwŋ͡m˨˩˨ ʂaːŋ˨˩˦]

[ʔaŋ˧˧ kəːm˧˧ wək̚˦˥ jaː˧˧ tʰəː˨˩ maː˧˧ kəwŋ͡m˨˩˨ saːŋ˨˩˦]

(literally) to eat the nation's rice while worshiping the Communist spirits

Tuy nhiên Ấp Chiến-Lược một quốc-sách lợi-hại tốt đẹp đã rào xã, rào Ấp mà không rào lòng họ, còn ác cảm, e ngại rằng sinh nỗi thân hàn, tâm hán, ăn cơm Quốc-gia, thờ ma Cộng-sản thì có thể ảnh-hưởng không lợi cho Ấp Chiến-Lược.

1962 December 13, “Tiếp-tục thảo-luận và biểu-quyết dự-thảo-luật số 95/11 về ngân-sách quốc-gia tài-khóa 1963 [Continuing the deliberation and vote on bill number 95/11 on the national budget for fiscal year 1963]”, in Nội-san Quốc-hội, volume 2, number Special Issue, Sở Thông-tin Quốc-hội, page 112:

However much the Strategic Hamlet Program is a bad or good national policy, communes and hamlets have been fenced up but hearts cannot be hemmed in, and there is enmity and hesitation that beget feelings akin to being friendly with the Koreans but having a heart for the Chinese [wordplay on "body" and "heart"], eating the nation's rice while worshiping the Communists, which may have a detrimental effect on the Strategic Hamlet Program.

bite the hand that feeds one
bite the hand that feeds one

(figuratively, derogatory, idiomatic) to betray one's country; to bite the hand that feeds one


giang sơn dễ đổi, bản tính khó dời

[zaːŋ˧˧ səːn˧˧ ze˦ˀ˥ ʔɗoj˧˩ ʔɓaːn˧˩ tïŋ˧˦ xɔ˧˦ zəːj˨˩]

[jaːŋ˧˧ ʂəːŋ˧˧ jej˧˨ ʔɗoj˧˨ ʔɓaːŋ˧˨ tɨn˦˧˥ kʰɔ˨˩˦ jəːj˦˩]

[jaːŋ˧˧ səːŋ˧˧ jej˧˨ ʔɗoj˧˨ ʔɓaːŋ˧˨ tɨn˦˧˥ xɔ˨˩˦ jəːj˦˩]

[jaːŋ˧˧ ʂəːŋ˧˧ jej˨˩˦ ʔɗoj˨˩˦ ʔɓaːŋ˨˩˦ tɨn˦˥ kʰɔ˦˥ jəːj˨˩]

[jaːŋ˧˧ səːŋ˧˧ jej˨˩˦ ʔɗoj˨˩˦ ʔɓaːŋ˨˩˦ tɨn˦˥ xɔ˦˥ jəːj˨˩]

changing a country's borders is easy, but changing a person's character is hard


tiền trao cháo múc

[tiən˨˩ t͡ɕaːw˧˧ t͡ɕaːw˧˦ mʊwk͡p̚˧˦]

[tiəŋ˦˩ ʈaːw˧˧ t͡ɕaːw˨˩˦ mʊwk͡p̚˦˧˥]

[tiəŋ˨˩ ʈaːw˧˧ caːw˦˥ mʊwk͡p̚˦˥]

tiền (“money”) + trao (“to exchange; to change hands”) + cháo (“rice congee”) + múc (“to ladle”)

compound

(somewhat literally) cash on delivery; show me the money

(figuratively) Refers to the virtues of transparency, plain dealing, and punctuality.


miệng hùm gan sứa

[miəŋ˧˨ʔ hum˨˩ ɣaːn˧˧ sɨə˧˦]

[miəŋ˨˩ʔ hum˦˩ ɣaːŋ˧˧ ʂɨə˨˩˦]

[miəŋ˨˩ʔ hum˦˩ ɣaːŋ˧˧ sɨə˨˩˦]

[miəŋ˨˩˨ hʊm˨˩ ɣaːŋ˧˧ ʂɨə˦˥]

[miəŋ˨˩˨ hʊm˨˩ ɣaːŋ˧˧ sɨə˦˥]

all bark and no bite
all bark and no bite


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thuận vợ thuận chồng, tát biển Đông cũng cạn

thuận vợ thuận chồng, tát Biển Đông cũng cạn#Vietnamese

Alternative letter-case form of thuận vợ thuận chồng, tát Biển Đông cũng cạn


thuận vợ thuận chồng, tát biển đông cũng cạn


thả cá nhỏ, bắt cá lớn

[tʰaː˧˩ kaː˧˦ ɲɔ˧˩ ʔɓat̚˧˦ kaː˧˦ ləːn˧˦]

[tʰaː˧˨ kaː˨˩˦ ɲɔ˧˨ ʔɓak̚˦˧˥ kaː˨˩˦ ləːŋ˦˧˥]

[tʰaː˨˩˦ kaː˦˥ ɲɔ˨˩˦ ʔɓak̚˦˥ kaː˦˥ ləːŋ˦˥]

thả (“to release”) + cá (“fish”) + nhỏ (“small”) + bắt (“to catch”) + cá (“fish”) + lớn (“large”)

compound

(literally) release a small fish to catch a big fish

(figuratively) a small sacrifice yields a bigger reward; no pain, no gain