thắt lưng buộc bụng
verb
Hanoi [tʰat̚˧˦ lɨŋ˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓʊwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ]Huế [tʰak̚˦˧˥ lɨŋ˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˨˩ʔ ʔɓʊwŋ͡m˨˩ʔ]Saigon [tʰak̚˦˥ lɨŋ˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˨˩˨ ʔɓʊwŋ͡m˨˩˨] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
thắt lưng buộc bụng means to tighten one's belt; or more extremely.
Meanings of thắt lưng buộc bụng in English
Verb
- figurative to tighten one's belt, or more extremely, to be forced into austerity by the government
- chính sách thắt lưng buộc bụng(an) austerity (policy)
- Kinh tế suy thoái, phải thắt lưng buộc bụng.We had to tighten our belts amid the economic recession.
Etymology
thắt lưng (“to tighten your belt”, literally “to tighten your back”) + buộc (“to tie”) + bụng (“belly”).
Frequently asked questions
What does thắt lưng buộc bụng mean in English?
thắt lưng buộc bụng (verb) means "to tighten one's belt; or more extremely".
How do you pronounce thắt lưng buộc bụng?
IPA: Hanoi [tʰat̚˧˦ lɨŋ˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˧˨ʔ ʔɓʊwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ]; Saigon [tʰak̚˦˥ lɨŋ˧˧ ʔɓuək̚˨˩˨ ʔɓʊwŋ͡m˨˩˨]. Tones: thắt — rising tone (sắc), lưng — level tone (ngang), buộc — heavy tone (nặng), bụng — heavy tone (nặng).