ngược xuôi
[ŋɨək̚˧˨ʔ suəj˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(verb) to go back and forth, bustle about
Verb
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 ↗
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
chao đảo
(verb) to rock (back and forth); to stagger
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
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 “ngược xuôi” mean?
(verb) to go back and forth, bustle about
Is “ngược xuôi” 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.