Significado
Describing a place with no one around.
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'đông vui' (crowded and happy) is a core cultural value. Emptiness is often viewed with suspicion or sadness, which is why this idiom is so common. In the region where the pagoda is located, people take pride in the idiom. It has actually helped boost tourism to the 'empty' pagoda as people want to see the origin of the phrase. Pagodas are usually built in quiet places for meditation, but they are also community hubs. The 'emptiness' of Ba Danh was an anomaly that became legendary. In cities like Saigon and Hanoi, space is at a premium. A place being 'vắng như bà đanh' is often a sign of high prices or poor service, as people naturally gravitate toward crowds.
Use for emphasis
Don't just say 'vắng'. Use the idiom to sound more like a native speaker when you're surprised by the lack of people.
Check the tone
Be careful using this about a friend's business. It can sound like you're saying their business is failing.
Significado
Describing a place with no one around.
Use for emphasis
Don't just say 'vắng'. Use the idiom to sound more like a native speaker when you're surprised by the lack of people.
Check the tone
Be careful using this about a friend's business. It can sound like you're saying their business is failing.
The 'Tanh' addition
Say 'Vắng tanh như chùa Bà Đanh' to sound even more fluent and expressive.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Quán ăn này ngon nhưng sao lại vắng như ___ ___ ___?
The full traditional idiom is 'vắng như chùa Bà Đanh'.
Which situation best fits the idiom 'vắng như bà đanh'?
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
'Vắng như bà đanh' describes a place with no people, not just a quiet place.
Complete the dialogue naturally.
Nam: 'Ê, tối nay đi xem phim không?' Lan: 'Thôi, rạp đó dạo này ______ lắm, xem mất vui.'
Lan is giving a reason not to go, implying the atmosphere is too quiet/deserted.
Match the phrase to the correct intensity.
Match 'Vắng tanh như chùa Bà Đanh' with its meaning:
The addition of 'tanh' intensifies the meaning to 'extremely deserted'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Recursos visuais
Vắng vs. Yên Tĩnh
Banco de exercicios
4 exerciciosQuán ăn này ngon nhưng sao lại vắng như ___ ___ ___?
The full traditional idiom is 'vắng như chùa Bà Đanh'.
Chọn tình huống phù hợp:
'Vắng như bà đanh' describes a place with no people, not just a quiet place.
Nam: 'Ê, tối nay đi xem phim không?' Lan: 'Thôi, rạp đó dạo này ______ lắm, xem mất vui.'
Lan is giving a reason not to go, implying the atmosphere is too quiet/deserted.
Match 'Vắng tanh như chùa Bà Đanh' with its meaning:
The addition of 'tanh' intensifies the meaning to 'extremely deserted'.
🎉 Pontuação: /4
Perguntas frequentes
10 perguntasYes, 'Bà Đanh' (Lady Danh) refers to the deity worshipped at the pagoda, believed to be a local woman who helped the community.
No, it's only for places or events. For a quiet person, use 'ít nói' or 'lầm lì'.
Not inherently, but it can be insensitive if used to describe a place that is struggling financially.
Absolutely. It's a classic idiom that hasn't gone out of style, even among Gen Z.
'Vắng' is a simple description. 'Vắng như bà đanh' is a colorful, emphatic comparison.
It's better to avoid it in very formal emails. Use 'vắng khách' or 'thưa thớt' instead.
Southerners use this phrase too, though they might also say 'vắng như đuổi tà'.
Because Buddhism is the dominant traditional religion in Vietnam, and the specific story is tied to a Buddhist site.
No, the idiom is fixed as 'Bà Đanh'. Changing the gender would make it unrecognizable.
Sometimes it can imply an eerie or 'creepy' quiet, but usually it just means empty.
Frases relacionadas
Vắng tanh vắng ngắt
synonymCompletely deserted and silent.
Đông như trẩy hội
contrastAs crowded as a festival.
Vắng vẻ
similarQuiet, deserted, or lonely.
Không một bóng người
similarNot a single person around.
