tai to mặt lớn
phrase
Hanoi [taːj˧˧ tɔ˧˧ mat̚˧˨ʔ ləːn˧˦]Huế [taːj˧˧ tɔ˧˧ mak̚˨˩ʔ ləːŋ˦˧˥]Saigon [taːj˧˧ tɔ˧˧ mak̚˨˩˨ ləːŋ˦˥] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
tai to mặt lớn means powerful; influential.
Meanings of tai to mặt lớn in English
Phrase
- derogatory, idiomatic, of a person having power or influence in society; powerful; influential
Etymology
Calque of Chinese 肥頭大耳 /肥头大耳 (phì đầu đại nhĩ, literally “big head and big ears”), from tai (“ear”) + to (“big”) + mặt (“face”) + lớn (“big”).
Frequently asked questions
What does tai to mặt lớn mean in English?
tai to mặt lớn (phrase) means "powerful; influential".
How do you pronounce tai to mặt lớn?
IPA: Hanoi [taːj˧˧ tɔ˧˧ mat̚˧˨ʔ ləːn˧˦]; Saigon [taːj˧˧ tɔ˧˧ mak̚˨˩˨ ləːŋ˦˥]. Tones: tai — level tone (ngang), to — level tone (ngang), mặt — heavy tone (nặng), lớn — rising tone (sắc).