làm trâu làm ngựa
verb
Hanoi [laːm˨˩ t͡ɕəw˧˧ laːm˨˩ ŋɨə˧˨ʔ]Huế [laːm˦˩ ʈəw˧˧ laːm˦˩ ŋɨə˨˩ʔ]Saigon [laːm˨˩ ʈəw˧˧ laːm˨˩ ŋɨə˨˩˨] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
làm trâu làm ngựa means to work diligently and submissively.
Meanings of làm trâu làm ngựa in English
Verb
- idiomatic to work diligently and submissively
Etymology
làm + trâu + làm + ngựa, literally “to be a water buffalo and be a horse”; compare Chinese 做牛做馬 /做牛做马 (tố ngưu tố mã), 當牛做馬 /当牛做马 (đương ngưu tố mã).
Frequently asked questions
What does làm trâu làm ngựa mean in English?
làm trâu làm ngựa (verb) means "to work diligently and submissively".
How do you pronounce làm trâu làm ngựa?
IPA: Hanoi [laːm˨˩ t͡ɕəw˧˧ laːm˨˩ ŋɨə˧˨ʔ]; Saigon [laːm˨˩ ʈəw˧˧ laːm˨˩ ŋɨə˨˩˨]. Tones: làm — falling tone (huyền), trâu — level tone (ngang), làm — falling tone (huyền), ngựa — heavy tone (nặng).