Tiếng Việt · Word Attested

điệu

[ʔɗiəw˧˨ʔ]

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Meaning · English

(noun) mannerism (habitual behavior)

Connotation: humorous

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

(classifier) indicates a tune, a melody, a chant or occurrence of singing, or a dance routine

Connotation: humorous

Examples

điệu hò/múaa "Vietnamese yodel"/dance routine

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 3

Meaning · English

(adjective) showy, flashy, flamboyant, gaudy, ostentatious

Connotation: humorous

Examples

Chim thiên đường có lẽ là loài chim "điệu" nhất thế giới.The bird of paradise is perhaps the "showiest" bird in the world.

Trang điểm gì lâu thế ? Mình đi ăn cơm, không cần phải điệu thế đâu!Why are you taking so long with your makeup? We're going to eat out, you don't have to get all dolled up (literally, “you don't need to be that gaudy”)!

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 4

Meaning · English

(verb) to forcefully carry someone by lifting them up usually by the armpits

Connotation: humorous

Examples

Nó bị điệu đến đồn công an.He was dragged to a police station.

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Common questions

What does “điệu” mean?

(noun) mannerism (habitual behavior)

Is “điệu” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.