chao đảo
[t͡ɕaːw˧˧ ʔɗaːw˧˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to rock (back and forth); to stagger
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(verb) to waver; to vacillate
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
back and forth
moving repeatedly from one place to another
English
Near equivalent
tròng trành
(verb) to sway; to rock; to tilt back and forth
Tiếng Việt · via back and forth
Near equivalent
đi lại
(verb) to go back and forth; to go from here to there (generally speaking)
Tiếng Việt · via back and forth
Near equivalent
ngược xuôi
(verb) to go back and forth, bustle about
Tiếng Việt · via back and forth
Near equivalent
lẫn nhau
(adjective) mutual; reciprocal; back and forth
Tiếng Việt · via back and forth
Near equivalent
tới lui
(verb) to haunt; to frequent; to go back and forth
Tiếng Việt · via back and forth
Near equivalent
ngoe nguẩy
(verb) to bend back and forth gently
Tiếng Việt · via back and forth
Lighter cards are two steps away in the meaning graph — equivalents of equivalents, reached via the entry shown on the card.
Common questions
What does “chao đảo” mean?
(verb) to rock (back and forth); to stagger
Is “chao đảo” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“back and forth” (English) — near equivalent.