nanh vuốt
noun
Hanoi [najŋ̟˧˧ vuət̚˧˦]Huế [nɛɲ˧˧ vuək̚˦˧˥]Saigon [nan˧˧ vuək̚˦˥] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
nanh vuốt means fangs and claws; clutches; evil grasp.
Meanings of nanh vuốt in English
Noun
- fangs and claws
- figurative clutches; evil grasp; hostile control
- figurative a henchman; lackey
Historical script (chữ Nôm / Hán)
Before the Latin alphabet (chữ Quốc ngữ) became standard, nanh vuốt could be written as 𤘓𤔯. Today Vietnamese is written only in the Latin alphabet.
Etymology
nanh (“fangs”) + vuốt (“claws”). The henchman sense is a calque of Chinese 爪牙 (trảo nha).
Frequently asked questions
What does nanh vuốt mean in English?
nanh vuốt (noun) means "fangs and claws; clutches; evil grasp".
How do you pronounce nanh vuốt?
IPA: Hanoi [najŋ̟˧˧ vuət̚˧˦]; Saigon [nan˧˧ vuək̚˦˥]. Tones: nanh — level tone (ngang), vuốt — rising tone (sắc).