bo bo

See also: Appendix:Variations of "bobo"

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓɔ˧˧ ʔɓɔ˧˧]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓɔ˧˧ ʔɓɔ˧˧]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [ʔɓɔ˧˧ ʔɓɔ˧˧]

Etymology 1

(This etymology is missing or incomplete. Please add to it, or discuss it at the Etymology scriptorium.)

Noun

(classifier cây, hạt) bo bo

1. Job's tears

   Synonyms: ý dĩ, cườm thảo

2. sorghum

   Synonyms: cao lương, miến, lúa miến

Etymology 2

Adverb

bo bo

1. jealously, hoardingly

   giữ bo bo ― to jealously keep

   • 2005, Nguyễn Ngọc Tư, “Cải ơi”, in Cánh đồng bất tận, NXB Trẻ:

     […] tưởng tía làm lớn để lo cho dân, ai dè cũng bo bo cho mình.

     […] I imagined you aimed big to serve the people; who thought you do it all for yourself too.