trộm vía

Vietnamese

Etymology

From trộm (“to steal”) +‎ vía (“po”). Perhaps used as a superstitious precaution against potential damage to a child's weak po, or an evil spirit that might take something good away from them if you don't compliment it properly.

Pronunciation
  • (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [t͡ɕom˧˨ʔ viə˧˦]
  • (Huế) IPA(key): [ʈom˨˩ʔ viə˨˩˦]
  • (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA(key): [ʈom˨˩˨ viə˦˥] ~ [ʈom˨˩˨ jiə˦˥]

Interjection

trộm vía

  1. (Northern Vietnam) used before complimenting an infant
    Trộm vía, cháu bé bụ bẫm quá!
    Oh my! What a chubby baby you've got there!
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