phong ba
[fawŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓaː˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) a storm; a tempest
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
(noun) the vicissitudes of life; the reverses or tricks of fortune; the ups and downs
Examples
Cuộc đời phong baa life full of vicisstudes
Phong ba bão táp không bằng ngữ pháp Việt Namstorms cannot be compared to the Vietnamese grammar
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) a storm of anger
Examples
nồi cơm phong bato get into a storm of anger
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Equivalents & related
Near equivalent
ups and downs
Experiences of good and bad fortune or success
English
Near equivalent
lên voi xuống chó
to have ups and downs in one's life; to go from rags to riches and/or riches to rags; to move up and down the socioeconomic ladder
Tiếng Việt · via ups and downs
Near equivalent
sóng gió
(noun) storm; troubles; ups and downs; vicissitudes (of life)
Tiếng Việt · via ups and downs
Near equivalent
mưa gió
(noun) vicissitudes of life; ups and downs
Tiếng Việt · via ups and downs
Near equivalent
thăng trầm
(noun) ups and downs
Tiếng Việt · via ups and downs
Near equivalent
thịnh suy
(noun) ups and downs
Tiếng Việt · via ups and downs
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 “phong ba” mean?
(noun) a storm; a tempest
Is “phong ba” 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?
“ups and downs” (English) — near equivalent.