quơ

[kwəː˧˧]

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

Sense 1

Meaning · English

(verb) to wave to and fro

Where it’s used: Used Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora

Examples

Tía nuôi tôi nhồi thuốc lá vào tẩu, bật lửa lên đốt hút một hơi dài, ông đặt chiếc nỏ lên đùi, vừa ngồi hút thuốc vừa cầm một nhánh cây nhỏ quơ qua quơ lại đuổi muỗi chung quanh.My adoptive father stuffed tobacco into his pipe, lighted it, and took a long draw; he put the crossbow on his thighs and sat smoking while holding a small branch which he waved to and fro to chase away the mosquitoes around him.

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 ↗

Sense 2

Meaning · English

(noun) Bình Định and Phú Yên form of quê (“hometown”)

Common questions

What does “quơ” mean?

(verb) to wave to and fro

Is “quơ” formal or informal?

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