bồ hòn
nounverb
Hanoi [ʔɓo˨˩ hɔn˨˩]Huế [ʔɓow˦˩ hɔŋ˦˩]Saigon [ʔɓow˨˩ hɔŋ˨˩] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
bồ hòn means Chinese soapberry; western soapberry.
Meanings of bồ hòn in English
Noun
- Chinese soapberry (Sapindus mukorossi)
- Thương nhau củ ấu cũng tròn, ghét nhau thì quả bồ hòn cũng vuông.If we care for one another, even water caltrops are round; if we hate each other, even the soapberry fruit is square.
- western soapberry (Sapindus saponaria)
Verb
- to have no worries
Historical script (chữ Nôm / Hán)
Before the Latin alphabet (chữ Quốc ngữ) became standard, bồ hòn could be written as 蒲𣏒. Today Vietnamese is written only in the Latin alphabet.
Etymology
Originally meant Chinese soapberry, a species native to East and Southeast Asia. The meaning was generalised to include the western soapberry from the Americas.
Frequently asked questions
What does bồ hòn mean in English?
bồ hòn (noun) means "Chinese soapberry; western soapberry".
How do you pronounce bồ hòn?
IPA: Hanoi [ʔɓo˨˩ hɔn˨˩]; Saigon [ʔɓow˨˩ hɔŋ˨˩]. Tones: bồ — falling tone (huyền), hòn — falling tone (huyền).
What classifier is used with bồ hòn?
Common classifiers: cây, quả, trái — for example "một cây bồ hòn" (one Chinese soapberry).