trộm vía

Vietnamese edit

Etymology edit

From trộm (“to steal”) +‎ vía (“po”). Perhaps used as a superstitious precaution against potential damage to a child's weak po, or an evil spirit that might take something good away from it if you don't compliment it properly.

Pronunciation edit

(Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [t͡ɕom˧˨ʔ viə˧˦]
(Huế) IPA^(key): [ʈom˨˩ʔ viə˨˩˦]
(Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʈom˨˩˨ viə˦˥] ~ [ʈom˨˩˨ jiə˦˥]

Interjection edit

trộm vía

(Northern Vietnam) used before complimenting an infant
Trộm vía, cháu bé bụ bẫm quá!
Oh my! What a chubby baby you've got there!