miệng nam mô, bụng một bồ dao găm
[miəŋ˧˨ʔ naːm˧˧ mo˧˧ ʔɓʊwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ mot̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓo˨˩ zaːw˧˧ ɣam˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(adjective) hypocritical, wolf in sheep's clothing, speaking virtuously but hiding selfish intentions
Adjective
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
kẻ miệng nam mô, bụng một bồ dao găma wolf in sheep's clothing
Buồn hơn nữa, họ đối với nhau như tuồng phù thủy: "Miệng nam mô, bụng một bồ dao găm", lấy sự đau khổ của người khác làm niềm vui cho mình y như sự cừu địch vậy.Or worse, they treat each other like some kind of hypocritical witch, taking joy in other people's suffering as if they were enemies.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
wolf in sheep's clothing
Someone who appears harmless but has evil intentions
English
Near equivalent
sói đội lốt cừu
(noun) wolf in sheep's clothing
Tiếng Việt · via wolf in sheep's clothing
Near equivalent
khẩu Phật tâm xà
(adjective) hypocritical, wolf in sheep's clothing, speaking virtuously but hiding selfish intentions
Tiếng Việt · via wolf in sheep's clothing
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 “miệng nam mô, bụng một bồ dao găm” mean?
(adjective) hypocritical, wolf in sheep's clothing, speaking virtuously but hiding selfish intentions
Is “miệng nam mô, bụng một bồ dao găm” 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?
“wolf in sheep's clothing” (English) — near equivalent.