ruồi bâu kiến đậu
to let unattended and expose to the elements
Tiếng Việt · Hà Nội & the North 43
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Where will you be? Anywhere Hà Nội & the NorthHuế / Đà Nẵng & the CenterSài Gòn & the SouthOnline slang Bắc ↔ Nam words
Sayings you’ll hear in the North — distinctly Northern usage first, then nationwide staples.
ra môn ra khoai
to do something with clear results
ruột để ngoài da
wearing one's heart on one's sleeve
rào trước đón sau
to cleverly point out something infelicitous in advance so that the listener will be understanding when it occurs and find it difficult to fault the speaker; to be careful with one's words; to be on the defensive
râu ông nọ cắm cằm bà kia
a square peg in a round hole
rượu mời không uống, muốn uống rượu phạt
to be forced to do something after initially turning down a request to do that thing
rảnh rỗi sinh nông nổi
if people have nothing better to do, they'll do stupid or harmful things
rồng bay phụng múa
lively and vigorous
rồng đến nhà tôm
someone of high status has paid a visit to someone of low status
rỗng như đít Bụt
completely empty
rừng vàng biển bạc
golden forests and silver seas
ra cái điều chó đéo bà đây
To reveal a shocking or scandalous secret
Ra sông mới biết cạn sâu
Only experience can reveal the true nature of something
Ra về bụng nhớ người thương
to think of loved ones when away from home
Ra về ruột nọ quặn đau
To be deeply concerned or worried about someone
Ra đi là sự đã liều
Taking action is a gamble
Ra đi ngó trước ngó sau
Be cautious and aware of surroundings
Ra đường bà nọ bà kia
Everyone has their own opinion
Rau răm hái ngọn còn tươi
Some things remain fresh and desirable even after being used or experienced
Rau răm đất cứng dễ bứng khó trồng
Some things are easy to start but hard to maintain
Ru con con ngủ cho rồi
Let the child sleep first
Ruộng ai thì nấy đắp bờ
Everyone is responsible for their own problems
Ruộng đồng mặc sức chim bay
Everyone is free to do as they please
rán sành ra mỡ
To get something good from a difficult situation
ráo nước bọt
To talk excessively or brag
Rèm xưa ba bức mành manh
Vietnamese folk verse (ca dao); English definition pending editorial review.
rõ như ban ngày
Completely obvious or clear
rút củi đáy nồi
to secretly undermine or sabotage someone's efforts
rượu bất khả ép, ép bất khả từ
Vietnamese idiom; English definition pending editorial review.
Rượu lạt uống lắm cũng say
Too much of a good thing can be bad
rượu mua thì uống, rượu cho thì đừng
Be cautious with gifts, especially if they come with strings attached
Rượu nhạt uống lắm cũng say
Even mild things can have a strong effect if experienced excessively
Rượu nằm trong nhạo chờ nem
A person's talent is being wasted
rượu vào, lời ra
Drunkenness reveals what soberness conceals.
rối như tơ vò
Completely confused or disorganized
Rồng chầu ngoài Huế, ngựa tế Đồng Nai
Something is offered or dedicated to a distant or unrelated place
Rồng nằm bể cạn phơi râu
A powerful person in a weak position
Rồng vàng tắm nước ao tù
A talented person is trapped in a poor environment
Rủ nhau xem cảnh Kiếm Hồ
to watch or enjoy a fight
Rủ nhau xuống bể mò cua
Join forces to tackle a difficult task
Rủ nhau đi cấy đi cày
Collaborate or work together
Rừng có mạch, vách có tai
Walls have ears and forests have eyes, meaning secrets are easily revealed
Rừng như biển thánh khôn dò
Knowledge is vast and endless