hằng hà sa số
nounadjective Sino-Vietnamese
Hanoi [haŋ˨˩ haː˨˩ saː˧˧ so˧˦]Huế [haŋ˦˩ haː˦˩ ʂaː˧˧ ʂow˨˩˦]Saigon [haŋ˨˩ haː˨˩ ʂaː˧˧ ʂow˦˥] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
Chinese characters: 恆河沙數 (恆河 “Ganges” + 沙 “sand” + 數 “number”)
Meanings of hằng hà sa số in English
Noun
- literal the number of sand grains in the Ganges River
Adjective
- figurative unfathomably numerous
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 恆河沙數, composed of 恆河 (“Ganges”), 沙 (“sand”) and 數 (“number”). See also Chinese 恆河沙 /恒河沙 (hénghéshā, “10⁵²”).
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce hằng hà sa số?
IPA: Hanoi [haŋ˨˩ haː˨˩ saː˧˧ so˧˦]; Saigon [haŋ˨˩ haː˨˩ ʂaː˧˧ ʂow˦˥]. Tones: hằng — falling tone (huyền), hà — falling tone (huyền), sa — level tone (ngang), số — rising tone (sắc).
Is hằng hà sa số a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. hằng hà sa số is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 恆河沙數.