hổng

Vietnamese

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [həwŋ͡m˧˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [həwŋ͡m˧˨]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [həwŋ͡m˨˩˦]

Etymology 1

Derived from hông, which is a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 空 (“empty, hollow”, SV: không). Doublet of không.

Adverb

hổng

1. Southern Vietnam form of không

   Hổng chịu đâu!

   I wouldn't stand it!

   Hổng phải đâu!

   That's not right!

   Hổng có đâu!

   There's no such thing! / I haven't done that! (precise meaning is context-dependent)

   Hổng (có) được đâu!

   That's no good! / That's not viable! / That's not allowed! (precise meaning is context-dependent)

   Hổng (có) (làm) được đâu!

   I can't do that!

   • 1992, Nguyễn Văn Hiên (lyrics and music), Không Dám Đâu (I Wouldn't Dare!), performance by Hiền Thục

     Hông dám đâu! Em còn phải học bài.
     Hông dám đâu! Em còn phải làm bài.
     ‘Sao khó ghê? Mai mình hãy ôn bài!’
     ‘Hông dám đâu! Hổng dám đâu!’

     I wouldn't dare! I still have to study.
     I wouldn't dare! I still have homework.
     ‘Why so fastidious? We can revise tomorrow!’
     ‘I wouldn't dare! I wouldn't dare!’

Etymology 2

Possibly non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of Chinese 孔 (SV: khổng). Possibly from a lect with weakening of aspirated stops.

Adjective

hổng • (閧, 𠸣)

1. (of a hole) empty, hollow