Significado
Experiencing big successes and failures in life.
Contexto cultural
The elephant is historically linked to national heroes like the Trưng Sisters and Bà Triệu, making it a symbol of the highest possible honor. In rural Vietnam, dogs were traditionally kept for guarding and were not treated as family members, which explains their use as a symbol of low status in this idiom. In the Vietnamese startup scene, 'lên voi xuống chó' is often used to describe the 'burn rate' and the risk of failing after a big funding round. Classic literature often uses this phrase to critique the vanity of those who seek power, reminding readers that the 'elephant' can be taken away at any time.
Use for Empathy
Using this phrase when someone is sharing their life story shows you have deep empathy for their journey.
Avoid Swapping
Never say 'Lên chó xuống voi'. It sounds like you are saying you were a dog and became an elephant, which isn't the idiom.
Significado
Experiencing big successes and failures in life.
Use for Empathy
Using this phrase when someone is sharing their life story shows you have deep empathy for their journey.
Avoid Swapping
Never say 'Lên chó xuống voi'. It sounds like you are saying you were a dog and became an elephant, which isn't the idiom.
Pair with 'Đời'
Starting with 'Đời là...' (Life is...) makes the idiom sound very natural and wise.
Humility
Vietnamese people use this to remind themselves to stay humble during successful times.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the missing animals to complete the idiom.
Cuộc đời ông ấy thật lắm thăng trầm, đúng là lên ___ xuống ___.
The standard idiom uses 'voi' (elephant) for the high point and 'chó' (dog) for the low point.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Lên voi xuống chó'?
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
The idiom describes a dramatic shift from high status/wealth to low status/poverty.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Lan: 'Bạn thấy sự nghiệp của anh ấy thế nào?' - Hoa: 'Thật sự rất biến động, ______.'
'Lên voi xuống chó' fits the context of a volatile career.
Match the phrase to the correct meaning.
Lên voi xuống chó có nghĩa là gì?
It means experiencing great changes in status and assets.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
The Status Scale
Common Contexts
Business
- • Bankruptcy
- • Market Crash
- • Losing a CEO position
Life
- • Losing inheritance
- • Social scandal
- • Sudden poverty
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosCuộc đời ông ấy thật lắm thăng trầm, đúng là lên ___ xuống ___.
The standard idiom uses 'voi' (elephant) for the high point and 'chó' (dog) for the low point.
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
The idiom describes a dramatic shift from high status/wealth to low status/poverty.
Lan: 'Bạn thấy sự nghiệp của anh ấy thế nào?' - Hoa: 'Thật sự rất biến động, ______.'
'Lên voi xuống chó' fits the context of a volatile career.
Lên voi xuống chó có nghĩa là gì?
It means experiencing great changes in status and assets.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIn this specific idiom, no. It's a traditional metaphor for status, not a personal insult directed at the person's character.
No, the phrase inherently implies both the high and the low. If someone only went from poor to rich, you'd say 'đổi đời' or 'phất lên'.
Only if you are describing a past failure you learned from in a very humble way. Otherwise, it might sound too informal.
There isn't a direct single idiom opposite, but 'Bình thân bất biến' (staying stable) could be a conceptual opposite.
In this context, yes. It represents power, wealth, and high social standing.
No, it is strictly for human fortune and status.
Yes, especially in the business and celebrity gossip sections.
It has a rising tone. Imagine your voice going up like you're asking a surprised question.
Not really. Idioms like this are almost always used in their full four-word form.
Yes! It's great for a team that was a champion and then got relegated to a lower league.
Frases relacionadas
Ba chìm bảy nổi
similarTo have a life full of hardships and struggles.
Thăng trầm
synonymUps and downs.
Vinh thân phì gia
contrastTo become wealthy and bring honor to one's family.
Trắng tay
builds onEmpty-handed (broke).
Đổi đời
similarTo change one's life (usually for the better).
