Cú đọ với tiên
Comparing oneself to someone far superior
All languages English Tiếng Việt
Comparing oneself to someone far superior
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Year-round efforts are less important than a single key moment
Must balance good and bad deeds
One good deed is better than many small ones
Doing good deeds all year is not as valuable as doing them on special occasions
To give what you have
Do something useless or futile
Do two things at once to save time and effort
Everyone has their own suitable match
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Something of little value is better than nothing
Something small but of great value is better than something big but of little value
Young children are like a simmering pot of fish sauce
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
A small but cozy home is better than a large uncomfortable one
Be content with what you have
Very tense or strained
Excessive tension leads to breakdown
An honest "this is genuinely tense" — confirmation that the pressure is real, not drama; the sober cousin of "căng đét".
Outward appearance hides inner truth
Even beggars have their own social hierarchy
Children from the same parents can be very different
People are treated according to their social status
A small mistake leads to big trouble
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Something is ruined by its strongest or most important part
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Start with a kind heart
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
Vietnamese phrase; English definition pending editorial review.
One evil deed leads to another
A person's true nature is revealed through their actions
Disaster follows bad intentions
Everyone is responsible for their own actions and livelihood
Having a comfortable life with enough food and leisure
Simple living is good for one's health
To have a comfortable life
Having multiple attempts or chances
Food and medicine are essential for life
Being content with a simple life
Having just enough to get by
Having just enough to get by
Having just enough to get by
Do not force someone to do something they are not ready for
To serve or provide something generously and voluntarily
To serve someone willingly and generously
A perfect match or pair
Gratitude towards one's parents
Appreciate and respect the efforts of those who support you
One who wastes their inheritance will later have to work hard for food
One should appreciate and make use of what their parents provide
Respect and appreciate the efforts of those who take care of you
To make a poor couple's life even harder