Bedeutung
Maintain your dignity despite poverty.
Kultureller Hintergrund
In Vietnam, 'Face' (Sĩ diện) is a collective asset. This proverb protects the family's face by ensuring that even the poorest member doesn't bring shame through bad behavior. The emphasis on 'Sạch' (Clean) reflects the Confucian ideal of the 'Pure Official' (Thanh quan) who lives simply but honestly. Today, the proverb is often used to criticize 'crony capitalism' or corruption among the wealthy, ironically suggesting they have forgotten the lessons of their poor ancestors. In the countryside, this proverb is linked to the 'Làng' (Village) culture where everyone knows everyone, making a 'fragrant' reputation essential for social survival.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to deeply praise someone's character, especially if they aren't wealthy, use this phrase. It's one of the highest moral compliments in Vietnamese.
Don't shorten it too much
While you can say 'Đói cho sạch...', the full phrase is much more impactful and rhythmic.
Bedeutung
Maintain your dignity despite poverty.
Use it as a compliment
If you want to deeply praise someone's character, especially if they aren't wealthy, use this phrase. It's one of the highest moral compliments in Vietnamese.
Don't shorten it too much
While you can say 'Đói cho sạch...', the full phrase is much more impactful and rhythmic.
The 'Cho' nuance
Remember that 'cho' here means 'to be' or 'in a way that is'. It's an imperative to yourself.
Teste dich selbst
Complete the proverb with the correct words.
Đói cho ______, rách cho ______.
The standard proverb is 'Đói cho sạch, rách cho thơm'.
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Đói cho sạch, rách cho thơm'?
A person is very poor but...
The proverb is about maintaining integrity (not stealing) despite hardship.
Choose the best response for the dialogue.
A: 'Dạo này kinh tế khó khăn quá, hay là mình làm liều một chuyến buôn lậu?' - B: 'Không được đâu, ông bà ta đã dạy...'
B is reminding A to stay honest despite financial difficulty.
What does 'thơm' (fragrant) represent in this proverb?
In the context of 'rách cho thơm', 'thơm' means:
Metaphorically, 'thơm' refers to 'tiếng thơm' (a good name/reputation).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Visuelle Lernhilfen
Aufgabensammlung
4 AufgabenĐói cho ______, rách cho ______.
The standard proverb is 'Đói cho sạch, rách cho thơm'.
A person is very poor but...
The proverb is about maintaining integrity (not stealing) despite hardship.
A: 'Dạo này kinh tế khó khăn quá, hay là mình làm liều một chuyến buôn lậu?' - B: 'Không được đâu, ông bà ta đã dạy...'
B is reminding A to stay honest despite financial difficulty.
In the context of 'rách cho thơm', 'thơm' means:
Metaphorically, 'thơm' refers to 'tiếng thơm' (a good name/reputation).
🎉 Ergebnis: /4
Häufig gestellte Fragen
10 FragenAbsolutely. It is frequently cited in discussions about corporate social responsibility and personal ethics in the digital age.
Not usually. It specifically addresses the temptation of poverty. For a rich person staying good, use 'Gần bùn mà chẳng hôi tanh mùi bùn'.
'Sạch' is literal cleanliness, while 'trong sạch' is the abstract concept of being incorruptible. The proverb uses the former to mean the latter.
It can be if you are implying they *might* be dishonest. It's better used as a general principle or to praise someone who has already shown integrity.
In this context, it represents 'khó khăn' (difficulties) or 'thiếu thốn' (lack of resources) in general.
It has a rising tone (sắc). Start at a mid-pitch and go up sharply while making a short 't' sound at the end.
Sometimes people just say 'Đói sạch rách thơm' in very informal writing, but it loses its poetic flow.
In Vietnamese, a good reputation is called 'tiếng thơm' (fragrant sound/fame). It's the opposite of 'tai tiếng' (bad reputation).
Yes, if you are discussing ethics or company values, it adds a touch of traditional authority.
Mixing up the order or replacing 'cho' with 'và'.
Verwandte Redewendungen
Giấy rách phải giữ lấy lề
synonymKeep the margins even if the paper is torn.
Gần bùn mà chẳng hôi tanh mùi bùn
similarLiving in the mud but not smelling of it.
Chết vinh còn hơn sống nhục
builds onBetter to die in glory than live in shame.
Nghèo cho sạch, rách cho thơm
variationPoor but clean, ragged but fragrant.
