Signification
Describing a person who is very thin.
Contexte culturel
Commenting on weight is a common social 'icebreaker'. Saying someone is 'gầy' can be a way of showing concern for their hard work or health. Directly commenting on someone's weight, even if they are thin, can be perceived as 'body shaming' or intrusive. The equivalent 'thin as a rail' is used but with more caution. Being thin is often a beauty standard, but 'maigre comme un clou' (thin as a nail) still carries a slightly negative, fragile connotation. There is a high social pressure to be thin, but using blunt terms like 'gari-gari' is usually reserved for very close relationships as it sounds quite harsh.
It's often a compliment (sort of)
In some circles, being called 'gầy như que tăm' is a sign that you are hardworking or have a 'high-fashion' look, though it's still blunt.
Watch your tone
If said with a sneer, it's an insult. If said with a smile, it's friendly teasing.
Signification
Describing a person who is very thin.
It's often a compliment (sort of)
In some circles, being called 'gầy như que tăm' is a sign that you are hardworking or have a 'high-fashion' look, though it's still blunt.
Watch your tone
If said with a sneer, it's an insult. If said with a smile, it's friendly teasing.
Use with 'nhìn'
Adding 'nhìn' (look) or 'trông' (appear) before the phrase makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Anh ấy dạo này ốm quá, nhìn gầy như que ___.
The standard idiom is 'gầy như que tăm'.
Which situation is most appropriate for using 'Gầy như que tăm'?
When should you use this phrase?
This is an informal idiom best used in casual settings with people you know well.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are different ways to describe thinness with varying intensities.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
Mẹ: 'Sao con không ăn thêm thịt đi?' - Con: 'Con no rồi mẹ.' - Mẹ: 'Ăn đi, nhìn con ___ rồi đó!'
Mothers often use this idiom to encourage their children to eat more.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAnh ấy dạo này ốm quá, nhìn gầy như que ___.
The standard idiom is 'gầy như que tăm'.
When should you use this phrase?
This is an informal idiom best used in casual settings with people you know well.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are different ways to describe thinness with varying intensities.
Mẹ: 'Sao con không ăn thêm thịt đi?' - Con: 'Con no rồi mẹ.' - Mẹ: 'Ăn đi, nhìn con ___ rồi đó!'
Mothers often use this idiom to encourage their children to eat more.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNot necessarily. It depends on the relationship. Between friends, it's teasing. From an elder, it's concern. To a stranger, it's rude.
Yes, it is gender-neutral.
A common opposite is 'Béo như lợn' (fat as a pig), but that is very offensive. A nicer way to say someone is 'full' is 'Mũm mĩm' (chubby/cute).
No, it is way too informal. Stick to 'gầy' or 'mảnh mai' if you must comment on appearance.
Yes, it's very common to describe a skinny pet as 'gầy như que tăm'.
Vietnamese does have 'gầy như cây kim' (thin as a needle), but 'que tăm' is much more common in daily speech.
Not necessarily, but it often describes people who look 'long and thin'.
You say 'Tôi gầy như que tăm'.
Yes, 'mảnh mai' or 'người hơi gầy' are more polite.
Yes, it is used and understood throughout all of Vietnam.
Expressions liées
Gầy nhom
synonymVery skinny
Mảnh mai
similarSlender/Graceful
Gầy trơ xương
specialized formSkin and bones
Béo như lợn
contrastFat as a pig
