ba que

See also: baque

Vietnamese

Alternative forms

  • 3 que

Etymology

Compound of ba (“three”) +‎ que (“stick”), in reference to the flag of South Vietnam, which features three red stripes on a yellow background. The original meaning refers to a trick game during French colonial rule involving three sticks and a leaf, later used by the communists and opponents of South Vietnam to condemn the latter as a corrupt regime.

Pronunciation

  • (Hà Nội) IPA(key): [ʔɓaː˧˧ kwɛ˧˧]
  • (Huế) IPA(key): [ʔɓaː˧˧ kwɛ˧˧]
  • (Saigon) IPA(key): [ʔɓaː˧˧ wɛ˧˧]

Adjective

ba que

  1. (figurative, colloquial) deceitful; cheating; dishonest
  2. (figurative, derogatory, slang) Relating to the former Republic of Vietnam; South Vietnamese
  3. (figurative, derogatory, slang) A supporter of the former Republic of Vietnam
    Synonyms: nguỵ, bò vàng
    Antonym: bò đỏ

Derived terms

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