tránh vỏ dưa gặp vỏ dừa
phrase
Hanoi [t͡ɕajŋ̟˧˦ vɔ˧˩ zɨə˧˧ ɣap̚˧˨ʔ vɔ˧˩ zɨə˨˩]Huế [ʈɛɲ˦˧˥ vɔ˧˨ jɨə˧˧ ɣap̚˨˩ʔ vɔ˧˨ jɨə˦˩]Saigon [ʈan˦˥ vɔ˨˩˦ jɨə˧˧ ɣap̚˨˩˨ vɔ˨˩˦ jɨə˨˩] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
tránh vỏ dưa gặp vỏ dừa means away from the watermelon rind; into the coconut shell.
Meanings of tránh vỏ dưa gặp vỏ dừa in English
Phrase
- literal away from the watermelon rind, into the coconut shell
- figurative out of the frying pan, into the fire
Etymology
A play on the words dưa (“melon”) and dừa (“coconut”), which both refer to fruits with high toughness and differ only in tone.
Frequently asked questions
What does tránh vỏ dưa gặp vỏ dừa mean in English?
tránh vỏ dưa gặp vỏ dừa (phrase) means "away from the watermelon rind; into the coconut shell".
How do you pronounce tránh vỏ dưa gặp vỏ dừa?
IPA: Hanoi [t͡ɕajŋ̟˧˦ vɔ˧˩ zɨə˧˧ ɣap̚˧˨ʔ vɔ˧˩ zɨə˨˩]; Saigon [ʈan˦˥ vɔ˨˩˦ jɨə˧˧ ɣap̚˨˩˨ vɔ˨˩˦ jɨə˨˩]. Tones: tránh — rising tone (sắc), vỏ — dipping tone (hỏi), dưa — level tone (ngang), gặp — heavy tone (nặng), vỏ — dipping tone (hỏi), dừa — falling tone (huyền).