đao to búa lớn
adjective
Hanoi [ʔɗaːw˧˧ tɔ˧˧ ʔɓuə˧˦ ləːn˧˦]Huế [ʔɗaːw˧˧ tɔ˧˧ ʔɓuə˨˩˦ ləːŋ˦˧˥]Saigon [ʔɗaːw˧˧ tɔ˧˧ ʔɓuə˦˥ ləːŋ˦˥] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
đao to búa lớn means exaggerative; braggy.
Meanings of đao to búa lớn in English
Adjective
- idiomatic, of one's words exaggerative; braggy
- Cách nói của thầy có vẻ đao to búa lớn nhỉ? Trẻ ai nấy cũng đều ngơ ngác à.The way the teacher was expressing himself seemed pretty braggy, wasn't he? The kids just couldn't catch on.
Etymology
Calque of Chinese 大刀闊斧 /大刀阔斧 (đại đao khoát phủ).
Frequently asked questions
What does đao to búa lớn mean in English?
đao to búa lớn (adjective) means "exaggerative; braggy".
How do you pronounce đao to búa lớn?
IPA: Hanoi [ʔɗaːw˧˧ tɔ˧˧ ʔɓuə˧˦ ləːn˧˦]; Saigon [ʔɗaːw˧˧ tɔ˧˧ ʔɓuə˦˥ ləːŋ˦˥]. Tones: đao — level tone (ngang), to — level tone (ngang), búa — rising tone (sắc), lớn — rising tone (sắc).