bù nhìn
[ʔɓu˨˩ ɲin˨˩]
The English word "dummy" translates to Vietnamese as bù nhìn.
The term bù nhìn is used metaphorically to describe a person who holds a position of power in name only, acting as a figurehead or a puppet for others.
Meaning: a deliberately nonfunctional placeholder (noun)
Which one should you use?
While bù nhìn refers to a nonfunctional placeholder or figurehead, the term Đần Độn is used to refer to a person as a "dummy" or a "blockhead."
Did you know?
- The phrase bù nhìn evolved from an older form mù nhìn, which literally translates to 'blind looking'.
- The term bù nhìn is the standard Vietnamese word for a 'scarecrow'.
- In Vietnamese political discourse, calling a leader a bù nhìn is a severe accusation of being a puppet for a foreign power.
Examples in context
- ông ấy chỉ là một bù nhìn chính trị.He is just a political dummy.
Example conversation
Tuấn and Mai are discussing a new manager who has no real power.
- TuấnMai, ông quản lý mới không có quyền gì cả.Mai, the new manager has no power at all.
- MaiVậy anh ta chỉ là bù nhìn thôi sao?So he is just a dummy?
- TuấnĐúng vậy, mọi quyết định đều do giám đốc đưa ra.That's right, all decisions are made by the director.
- MaiThật là một tình huống kỳ lạ.That is a strange situation.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bù nhìn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bù, bù nhìn, nhìn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
