đầu voi đuôi chuột
adjective
Hanoi [ʔɗəw˨˩ vɔj˧˧ ʔɗuəj˧˧ t͡ɕuət̚˧˨ʔ]Huế [ʔɗəw˦˩ vɔj˧˧ ʔɗuj˧˧ t͡ɕuək̚˨˩ʔ]Saigon [ʔɗəw˨˩ vɔj˧˧ ʔɗuj˧˧ cuək̚˨˩˨] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
Meanings of đầu voi đuôi chuột in English
Adjective
- started with a lot of fanfare but petering out to nothing
- of land, houses… broad in the front and narrow in the back
Etymology
Literally, “elephant head, rat tail”.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce đầu voi đuôi chuột?
IPA: Hanoi [ʔɗəw˨˩ vɔj˧˧ ʔɗuəj˧˧ t͡ɕuət̚˧˨ʔ]; Saigon [ʔɗəw˨˩ vɔj˧˧ ʔɗuj˧˧ cuək̚˨˩˨]. Tones: đầu — falling tone (huyền), voi — level tone (ngang), đuôi — level tone (ngang), chuột — heavy tone (nặng).