bạn thấp
[ʔɓaːn˧˨ʔ tʰəp̚˧˦]word by word
The English phrase "your short" is translated into Vietnamese as bạn thấp.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they have a small physical height.
Did you know?
- While 'you are short' is a simple description in English, saying bạn thấp to a stranger in Vietnam might be perceived as a direct physical insult rather than a neutral observation.
- The word thấp is etymologically linked to the concept of a 'low wetland', a remnant of its Sino-Vietnamese root 隰.
- While bạn is a common way to say 'you', Vietnamese possesses dozens of pronouns based on relative age and social rank. Choosing the wrong one can make a simple comment about height sound unintentionally aggressive or strangely cold.
Examples in context
- Mình thấp lè tè thôi.I'm short.
- Bạn thấp hơn tôi.You are shorter than me.
- Có vẻ như bạn thấp.It seems that you are short.
- Vì bạn thấp nên phải kiễng chân.Because you are short, you have to stand on your tiptoes.
Example conversation
Hùng and Chi are looking at a height chart.
- HùngBạn thấp quá, Chi ơi.You are so short, Chi.
- ChiTôi không hề thấp đâu.I am not short at all.
- HùngNhưng bạn thấp hơn tôi nhiều.But you are much shorter than me.
- ChiHùng nói sai rồi.Hung is wrong.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bạn, thấp) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bạn, thấp, CC BY-SA 4.0.
