lên voi xuống chó
verb
Hanoi [len˧˧ vɔj˧˧ suəŋ˧˦ t͡ɕɔ˧˦]Huế [len˧˧ vɔj˧˧ suəŋ˦˧˥ t͡ɕɔ˨˩˦]Saigon [ləːn˧˧ vɔj˧˧ suəŋ˦˥ cɔ˦˥] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
Meanings of lên voi xuống chó in English
Verb
- idiomatic to have ups and downs in one's life; to go from rags to riches and/or riches to rags; to move up and down the socioeconomic ladder
Etymology
Literally “going up as high as sitting on an elephant’s back, going down as low as a dog" (Vương Gia Thụy, 2018) perhaps alluding to the fact that ancient monarchs and commanders rode elephants while dogs were considered lowly animals used for guarding.
Frequently asked questions
How do you pronounce lên voi xuống chó?
IPA: Hanoi [len˧˧ vɔj˧˧ suəŋ˧˦ t͡ɕɔ˧˦]; Saigon [ləːn˧˧ vɔj˧˧ suəŋ˦˥ cɔ˦˥]. Tones: lên — level tone (ngang), voi — level tone (ngang), xuống — rising tone (sắc), chó — rising tone (sắc).