Khư khư phù thuỷ giữ ấn
Strictly follow rules without using discretion
All languages English Tiếng Việt
Where will you be? Anywhere Hà Nội & the NorthHuế / Đà Nẵng & the CenterSài Gòn & the SouthOnline slang Bắc ↔ Nam words
Strictly follow rules without using discretion
Pretending to be strict or serious
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
A small amount can be significant
Pray with a dishonest heart
To pray or worship in a dishonest or insincere manner
To pray or wish for something unrealistically
Pretend to worship one thing but actually worship another
To repay a debt with something of lesser value
Pretend to worship one thing but actually worship another
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese proverb; English definition pending editorial review.
Unstable or precarious situation
Giving up once means never achieving success
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Sweet words can bring happiness and wealth
Honest words can be hurtful
Honest words can hurt deeply
Words can be as sharp as swords
Words express one's thoughts
Having a harsh tone but a kind heart
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Remember something forever
Endure hardships to achieve success
To go to great lengths to retrieve something lost
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Each person has their own destiny
Each person has their own path in life
A bad appearance can hide a good quality
Vietnamese proverb; English definition pending editorial review.
Imitation without understanding
Imitation is not always a good thing
People who have the same faults criticize others for them
Don't teach someone something they already know or are skilled at
Even experienced people can make mistakes
A light jab — "khịa" (needle someone) kept friendly by "nhẹ": teasing calibrated to sting a little and land as a joke.
Very strong and healthy
Forgotten past mistakes will resurface
Forget the teacher once the quarrel is settled
To escape a bad or troublesome situation
To escape one problem only to fall into another
To escape one problem only to encounter another
Leaving home leads to unemployment
Stop grieving and move on with life
Avoid trouble by giving in or compromising
to escape a difficult or precarious situation
Someone with fewer problems is more capable of handling their issues
Trying to sell something of little value as if it were valuable
Make the best of a bad situation
Good things can come from unexpected or humble sources
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
The "summer-break brigade": school kids at loose ends all summer, framed as one more marching bloc in Vietnam's parade formations — usually invoked over scenes of household chaos.
Very miserable or unhappy
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Suffering of sentient beings is alleviated by Buddhist teachings
Troubles come from all sides, but one must face them head-on
Experience hardship before enjoying happiness
Misfortunes never come alone