Signification
Very tall person.
Contexte culturel
The crane is a symbol of longevity and high social status. While 'cao như sếu' is a physical description, the choice of bird reflects the high regard for cranes in Vietnamese art and architecture. In the South, the Sarus Crane is a beloved local species. People there might use the phrase with a bit more affection and local pride. Modern Vietnamese youth often use 'cao như sếu' ironically or as a compliment for 'model-like' features, influenced by the global fashion industry. In folk songs (ca dao), birds are often used to represent human traits. The crane's height is its most defining physical characteristic in these stories.
Use for friends
This is a great way to break the ice when talking about physical appearances in a friendly way.
Avoid for buildings
Remember, a house cannot be 'như sếu'. Use 'cao tầng' or 'to lớn' instead.
Signification
Very tall person.
Use for friends
This is a great way to break the ice when talking about physical appearances in a friendly way.
Avoid for buildings
Remember, a house cannot be 'như sếu'. Use 'cao tầng' or 'to lớn' instead.
Add 'vườn'
Saying 'cao như sếu vườn' makes you sound much more like a native speaker from the south.
Compliment or Tease?
Context is key. Usually, it's a neutral descriptor, but with a smile, it's a friendly tease.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the idiom.
Anh ấy chơi bóng rổ rất giỏi vì anh ấy cao như ___.
The correct idiom is 'cao như sếu'.
Which sentence uses the idiom correctly?
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom is used for people, not buildings, animals (other than cranes), and doesn't need 'là'.
Match the situation to the best response.
Your friend's younger brother has grown 10cm in one year. What do you say?
'Cao như sếu' is the perfect informal way to comment on a growth spurt.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Cậu có thấy Nam đâu không? B: Có, cái anh chàng ___ đang đứng đằng kia kìa.
In this context, height is used as a descriptor to find someone.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Sếu (Crane) vs. Cò (Stork) in Idioms
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesAnh ấy chơi bóng rổ rất giỏi vì anh ấy cao như ___.
The correct idiom is 'cao như sếu'.
Choose the correct usage:
The idiom is used for people, not buildings, animals (other than cranes), and doesn't need 'là'.
Your friend's younger brother has grown 10cm in one year. What do you say?
'Cao như sếu' is the perfect informal way to comment on a growth spurt.
A: Cậu có thấy Nam đâu không? B: Có, cái anh chàng ___ đang đứng đằng kia kìa.
In this context, height is used as a descriptor to find someone.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsGenerally, no. It's a descriptive idiom. However, like any comment on physical appearance, it depends on your tone and relationship with the person.
Yes, it is gender-neutral. It's often used for both men and women.
'Cao như sếu' is a simile (tall like a crane), while 'cao kều' is a descriptive adjective (lanky). 'Cao kều' is slightly more informal.
No. In Vietnamese, you say 'Anh ấy cao' (He tall), not 'Anh ấy là cao'.
Yes, especially the Sarus Crane in the Mekong Delta, though they are now an endangered species.
You can, and people will understand, but 'cao như sếu' is the traditional and more common idiom.
Use 'rất cao' or 'có chiều cao vượt trội'.
Yes, it's very common to use it for children who are growing fast.
It's a more colloquial version of the idiom, often used to tease friends.
It is used and understood throughout the entire country.
No, it's too informal. Stick to formal descriptions of height if necessary.
Then 'cao như sếu' is less appropriate, as 'sếu' implies a thin, lanky frame.
Expressions liées
Cao kều
synonymLanky/Tall
Chân dài
similarLong legs
Lêu nghêu
similarGangly
Thấp bé nhẹ cân
contrastShort and small
Cao chọc trời
specialized formSky-high
