tẩu vi thượng sách
phrase Sino-Vietnamese
Hanoi [təw˧˩ vi˧˧ tʰɨəŋ˧˨ʔ sajk̟̚˧˦]Huế [təw˧˨ vɪj˧˧ tʰɨəŋ˨˩ʔ ʂat̚˦˧˥]Saigon [təw˨˩˦ vɪj˧˧ tʰɨəŋ˨˩˨ ʂat̚˦˥] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
tẩu vi thượng sách means when in a pinch.
Chinese characters: 走為上策 (走 “fleeing” + 為 “is” + 上策 “the best plan”)
Meanings of tẩu vi thượng sách in English
Phrase
- humorous when in a pinch, the best course of action is to flee
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 走為上策, composed of 走 (“fleeing”), 為 (“is”) and 上策 (“the best plan”), likely from a Chinese drama variant of 走為上計 /走为上计 (tẩu vi thượng kế), the 36th of the Thirty-Six Stratagems. Compare Japanese 三十六計逃げるに如かず (Sanjūrokkei nigeru ni shikazu).
Frequently asked questions
What does tẩu vi thượng sách mean in English?
tẩu vi thượng sách (phrase) means "when in a pinch".
How do you pronounce tẩu vi thượng sách?
IPA: Hanoi [təw˧˩ vi˧˧ tʰɨəŋ˧˨ʔ sajk̟̚˧˦]; Saigon [təw˨˩˦ vɪj˧˧ tʰɨəŋ˨˩˨ ʂat̚˦˥]. Tones: tẩu — dipping tone (hỏi), vi — level tone (ngang), thượng — heavy tone (nặng), sách — rising tone (sắc).
Is tẩu vi thượng sách a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. tẩu vi thượng sách is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 走為上策.