công tử bột
noun
Hanoi [kəwŋ͡m˧˧ tɨ˧˩ ʔɓot̚˧˨ʔ]Huế [kəwŋ͡m˧˧ tɨ˧˨ ʔɓok̚˨˩ʔ]Saigon [kəwŋ͡m˧˧ tɨ˨˩˦ ʔɓok̚˨˩˨] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
công tử bột means someone who is lazy; doesn't work much.
Meanings of công tử bột in English
Noun
- derogatory, figurative someone who is lazy, doesn't work much, doesn't have much knowledge of the society and can be weak
Etymology
công tử (“mandarin's son”) + bột (“flour”), literally “a son of a mandarin [as white and soft as] flour.” bột may also come from French poste (theorizing that công tử bột meant the son of a colonial post office worker who is rich), or from the two names of Hoa Bột, Ba Bột (later thằng Bột) used in hát tuồng to refer to sons of mandarins.
Frequently asked questions
What does công tử bột mean in English?
công tử bột (noun) means "someone who is lazy; doesn't work much".
How do you pronounce công tử bột?
IPA: Hanoi [kəwŋ͡m˧˧ tɨ˧˩ ʔɓot̚˧˨ʔ]; Saigon [kəwŋ͡m˧˧ tɨ˨˩˦ ʔɓok̚˨˩˨]. Tones: công — level tone (ngang), tử — dipping tone (hỏi), bột — heavy tone (nặng).