Signification
Describing someone who is extremely stingy
Contexte culturel
In Vietnam, if you are described with this idiom, it is a serious blow to your reputation. Social 'face' is built on generosity. The idiom is very common in Northern folk tales (Truyện cười dân gian) where the 'rich landlord' is always the butt of the joke. While bargaining is common, being too aggressive in a way that hurts the seller's basic livelihood can earn you this label. The idiom is still used by younger generations in the US or Australia to joke about their parents' extreme frugality.
It's an insult!
Don't use this to describe your host or someone you want to stay on good terms with.
Use with 'Lão'
Adding 'Lão' (Old man) before the subject makes it sound like a classic folk tale insult: 'Lão ấy vắt cổ chày ra nước.'
Signification
Describing someone who is extremely stingy
It's an insult!
Don't use this to describe your host or someone you want to stay on good terms with.
Use with 'Lão'
Adding 'Lão' (Old man) before the subject makes it sound like a classic folk tale insult: 'Lão ấy vắt cổ chày ra nước.'
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Anh ta giàu nhưng tính tình ____ cổ chày ____ nước.
The full idiom is 'Vắt cổ chày ra nước.'
Which situation best fits the idiom 'Vắt cổ chày ra nước'?
A person who...
The idiom describes extreme stinginess, not hard work or simple saving.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
Lan: 'Sao cậu không mượn tiền Nam?' - Hoa: 'Thôi đi, Nam là kẻ ________.'
Nam is stingy, so you wouldn't borrow money from him.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesAnh ta giàu nhưng tính tình ____ cổ chày ____ nước.
The full idiom is 'Vắt cổ chày ra nước.'
A person who...
The idiom describes extreme stinginess, not hard work or simple saving.
Lan: 'Sao cậu không mượn tiền Nam?' - Hoa: 'Thôi đi, Nam là kẻ ________.'
Nam is stingy, so you wouldn't borrow money from him.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsYes, it's very common in daily life and on social media to complain about stinginess.
Yes, you can say 'Tôi vắt cổ chày ra nước lắm' to jokingly explain why you won't buy something expensive.
Expressions liées
Rán sành ra mỡ
synonymTo fry terracotta to get fat.
Keo kiệt
similarStingy.
Hào phóng
contrastGenerous.
