chìm nổi
verb
Hanoi [t͡ɕim˨˩ noj˧˩]Huế [t͡ɕim˦˩ noj˧˨]Saigon [cim˨˩ noj˨˩˦] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
chìm nổi means to sink and then float; to struggle in the vicissitudes.
Meanings of chìm nổi in English
Verb
- to sink and then float (especially repeatedly)
- figurative to struggle in the vicissitudes
Historical script (chữ Nôm / Hán)
Before the Latin alphabet (chữ Quốc ngữ) became standard, chìm nổi could be written as 沉𬈗. Today Vietnamese is written only in the Latin alphabet.
Etymology
chìm (“to be sunk”) + nổi (“to float”), calque of Chinese 沉浮 (trầm phù, “to sink and then float”).
Frequently asked questions
What does chìm nổi mean in English?
chìm nổi (verb) means "to sink and then float; to struggle in the vicissitudes".
How do you pronounce chìm nổi?
IPA: Hanoi [t͡ɕim˨˩ noj˧˩]; Saigon [cim˨˩ noj˨˩˦]. Tones: chìm — falling tone (huyền), nổi — dipping tone (hỏi).