sạch bách
adjective
Hanoi [sajk̟̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓajk̟̚˧˦]Huế [ʂat̚˨˩ʔ ʔɓat̚˦˧˥]Saigon [ʂat̚˨˩˨ ʔɓat̚˦˥] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
sạch bách means empty; vacant.
Meanings of sạch bách in English
Adjective
- colloquial empty; vacant
- Mới ngồi có mấy phút mà nó ăn chén dĩa sạch bách hết rồi.Within just a few minutes, he already devoured everything on the table, not a thing is left.
- Túi sạch bách rồi, tiền đâu mà xin.I'm broke, so I can't lend you any right now.
Etymology
sạch + bách, likely a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 白 (“white”, SV: bạch). It is not clear what triggered tonal dissimilation.
Frequently asked questions
What does sạch bách mean in English?
sạch bách (adjective) means "empty; vacant".
How do you pronounce sạch bách?
IPA: Hanoi [sajk̟̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓajk̟̚˧˦]; Saigon [ʂat̚˨˩˨ ʔɓat̚˦˥]. Tones: sạch — heavy tone (nặng), bách — rising tone (sắc).