phao
[faːw˧˧]
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) buoy
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
phao cứu sinhlife preserver
Đừng bơi ra ngoài phao nhé.Don’t swim beyond the buoy.
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 ↗ Local usage: “Phao” is broad; “phao báo hiệu” specifies a navigational buoy. [contributed-collins-enriched]
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(noun) cheat sheet used without permission in an examination
Register: informal
Common questions
What does “phao” mean?
(noun) buoy
Is “phao” formal or informal?
phao is generally informal.