con đĩ
[kɔn˧˧ ʔɗi˦ˀ˥]word by word
The English phrase "the b word" is translated into Vietnamese as con đĩ.
This is a vulgar slang term used to insult a woman by calling her a prostitute or a promiscuous person.
What does it mean word for word?
The word đĩ literally means "prostitute".
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The phrase con đĩ is highly vulgar and is considered a severe personal insult in Vietnamese.
How does it change in a sentence?
Replacing con with đồ (meaning "thing" or "stuff") can be used to further emphasize the contemptuous nature of the insult, translating roughly to "that bitch" or "that slut".
Did you know?
- While con is normally used for beloved children or pets, in this specific phrase it undergoes a 'semantic inversion' to become a tool of dehumanization.
- The word con has roots in the Proto-Austroasiatic language family, making it a distant relative of words in Khmer and Mon.
- The word đĩ is so offensive that it can be used as a 'verbal projectile' in heated street arguments, where the goal is to instantly lower the social status of the target.
Examples in context
- Đừng có gọi tôi là con đĩ.Don't call me a bitch.
- Thằng đó chê cô ấy là con đĩ.That guy called her a bitch.
Example conversation
Lan is angry after hearing a rumor about herself.
- LanTại sao họ lại gọi tôi là con đĩ?Why are they calling me a bitch?
- TuấnChắc là có người hiểu lầm em thôi.There must be a misunderstanding, dear.
- LanTôi không thể chịu nổi những lời đó.I can't stand those words.
- TuấnĐừng buồn, Lan, anh luôn ở bên em.Don't be sad, Lan, I'm always here for you.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (con, đĩ) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries con, CC BY-SA 4.0.
