Meaning
Describing great height.
Cultural Background
The phrase is linked to the 'Ca dao' (folk poetry) tradition where the mountain represents the father's merit (Công cha). The use of 'Mount Tai' (Thái Sơn) as a benchmark for height and stability is shared across China, Vietnam, and Korea. In cities like Ho Chi Minh City, 'cao như núi' is now frequently used to describe the rapid vertical growth of the city. Using this phrase to describe work is a socially acceptable way to complain without sounding too negative; it acknowledges the difficulty as a natural fact.
Use for hyperbole
Don't be afraid to use this for small things to be funny, like a 'mountain' of three books.
Tone matters
If you say 'núi' with a flat tone, it sounds like 'nuôi' (to feed), which changes the meaning entirely!
Meaning
Describing great height.
Use for hyperbole
Don't be afraid to use this for small things to be funny, like a 'mountain' of three books.
Tone matters
If you say 'núi' with a flat tone, it sounds like 'nuôi' (to feed), which changes the meaning entirely!
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Anh ấy là cầu thủ bóng rổ nên cao như ___.
The idiom is 'cao như núi'.
Which situation is the BEST fit for the phrase 'cao như núi'?
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
The phrase is used for large quantities or great height.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English equivalent.
Nối cặp tương ứng:
All these are valid translations/uses.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Sao bạn trông mệt mỏi vậy? B: Vì tuần này công việc của mình ___.
Being tired is usually associated with having a 'mountain of work'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAnh ấy là cầu thủ bóng rổ nên cao như ___.
The idiom is 'cao như núi'.
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
The phrase is used for large quantities or great height.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
All these are valid translations/uses.
A: Sao bạn trông mệt mỏi vậy? B: Vì tuần này công việc của mình ___.
Being tired is usually associated with having a 'mountain of work'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it might sound a bit strong. For a woman, 'cao ráo' or 'dáng chuẩn' is more common, but 'cao như núi' works for extreme height.
No, it's generally seen as a neutral or positive observation of their impressive stature.
It's redundant. 'Như núi' already implies 'rất cao'. Just say 'cao như núi'.
No, it's a figurative comparison. It just means 'extremely high'.
Yes! 'Tiền cao như núi' is a common way to describe being very rich.
In formal writing, you might use 'cao ngất' or 'vĩ đại', but 'cao như núi' is acceptable in most speeches.
The opposite is 'thấp như nấm' (short as a mushroom).
No, for fever use 'sốt cao'. 'Sốt cao như núi' sounds very strange.
Mountains are higher and more impressive than hills, so 'núi' provides a better superlative.
Yes, very often, especially in songs about parents or the homeland.
Related Phrases
Thấp như nấm
contrastShort as a mushroom
Rộng như biển
similarWide as the sea
Nhiều như quân Nguyên
similarAs many as the Mongol army
Cao chót vót
specialized formTowering high
