cáo mượn oai hùm
phrase
Hanoi [kaːw˧˦ mɨən˧˨ʔ ʔwaːj˧˧ hum˨˩]Huế [kaːw˨˩˦ mɨəŋ˨˩ʔ ʔwaːj˧˧ hum˦˩]Saigon [kaːw˦˥ mɨəŋ˨˩˨ (ʔ)waːj˧˧ hʊm˨˩] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
Meanings of cáo mượn oai hùm in English
Phrase
- figurative to use powerful connections to intimidate people
Etymology
From cáo (“fox”) + mượn (“borrow”) + oai (“majesty”) + hùm (“tiger”), probable calque of Chinese 狐假虎威 (hồ giả hổ uy).
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce cáo mượn oai hùm?
IPA: Hanoi [kaːw˧˦ mɨən˧˨ʔ ʔwaːj˧˧ hum˨˩]; Saigon [kaːw˦˥ mɨəŋ˨˩˨ (ʔ)waːj˧˧ hʊm˨˩]. Tones: cáo — rising tone (sắc), mượn — heavy tone (nặng), oai — level tone (ngang), hùm — falling tone (huyền).