zoo
/ʐɒ̃˧/
The Hmong word for "good" is zoo.
zoo is an adjective used to describe something as pleasant or enjoyable. While zoo means good, the compound zoo siab is the standard way to express feeling happy or pleased.
Meaning: pleasant, enjoyable (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The expression zoo siab literally translates to "good heart".
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "very good", add the intensifier heev after zoo, resulting in zoo heev.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʐɒ̃˧/
Did you know?
- The phrase zoo siab is used not only to mean 'happy' but also as a standard way to express gratitude or welcome a guest.
- The word zoo may actually have its roots in Old Chinese, potentially originating from the word for 'good' written as 良.
- In Hmong culture, describing someone as zoo often refers not just to their skill or quality, but to their moral character and virtue.
Examples in context
- Nyob zooHello or good day
- Lub hnub no zoo heev.Today is very good.
Example conversation
Yia and Cheng are talking about a park they visited.
- YiaLub chaw ntawd zoo heev, puas yog?That place was very pleasant, wasn't it?
- ChengYog, kuv nyiam nws heev.Yes, I liked it very much.
- YiaPeb yuav rov mus dua.We will go back again.
- ChengZoo, peb mus rau hnub Saturday.Good, let's go on Saturday.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry zoo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries zoo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
