bà chằn
noun
Hanoi [ʔɓaː˨˩ t͡ɕan˨˩]Huế [ʔɓaː˦˩ t͡ɕaŋ˦˩]Saigon [ʔɓaː˨˩ caŋ˨˩] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
bà chằn means a type of slug; a ferocious woman.
Classifier: con — e.g. một con bà chằn (one type of slug)
Meanings of bà chằn in English
Noun
- a type of slug
- Southern Vietnam, colloquial, can be offensive a ferocious woman
Etymology
The sense "ferocious woman" was likely due to the word being treated as if it is a compound of bà (“old woman, old lady”) + chằn (“ogre”).
Frequently asked questions
What does bà chằn mean in English?
bà chằn (noun) means "a type of slug; a ferocious woman".
How do you pronounce bà chằn?
IPA: Hanoi [ʔɓaː˨˩ t͡ɕan˨˩]; Saigon [ʔɓaː˨˩ caŋ˨˩]. Tones: bà — falling tone (huyền), chằn — falling tone (huyền).
What classifier is used with bà chằn?
Common classifiers: con — for example "một con bà chằn" (one a type of slug).