vỡ lòng
verb
Hanoi [vəː˦ˀ˥ lawŋ͡m˨˩]Huế [vəː˧˨ lawŋ͡m˦˩]Saigon [vəː˨˩˦ lawŋ͡m˨˩] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
vỡ lòng means to learn the alphabet; as a complete newbie.
Meanings of vỡ lòng in English
Verb
- to learn the alphabet
- lớp vỡ lòngABC level
- học vỡ lòngto learn the alphabet
- to learn something from the very beginning, as a complete newbie
- trình độ vỡ lòngbeginner level
- học tiếng Anh vỡ lòngto learn English from the ground up; to start learning/dabbling in English
Etymology
From vỡ (“to break; to open”) + lòng (“intestines; heart”). A native calque of the Sino-Vietnamese khai tâm (開心, “to open one's heart; to begin to learn”).
Frequently asked questions
What does vỡ lòng mean in English?
vỡ lòng (verb) means "to learn the alphabet; as a complete newbie".
How do you pronounce vỡ lòng?
IPA: Hanoi [vəː˦ˀ˥ lawŋ͡m˨˩]; Saigon [vəː˨˩˦ lawŋ͡m˨˩]. Tones: vỡ — creaky rising tone (ngã), lòng — falling tone (huyền).