Idiomatic Translation
Truong Van Anh
HUFLIT

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not clear from the
literal words but understood culturally.
Example:
“Kick the bucket” = to die (not literally kick a bucket)
→ chết, qua đời
He kicked the bucked yesterday.
→ Hôm qua, ông ta mất/chết.

Step-by-Step Analysis

Translation Strategies

Examples: English Idioms → Vietnamese

Tips for Translating Idioms into Vietnamese
1.Context is everything – idioms change meaning based on
tone and setting.
2.Avoid word-for-word translations unless they're clear in
Vietnamese.
3.Use cultural equivalents when possible (e.g., “like father,
like son” → “cha nào con nấy”).
4.Explain when needed – especially in education or bilingual
editions.

Classroom Activity Idea

 Give students 5–10 English idioms in context.
 Ask them to:
oGuess the meaning
oFind a Vietnamese idiom or explain it
oCompare tone/formality between the two languages

BILINGUAL IDIOM LIST (ENGLISH – VIETNAMESE)

EXERCISES: English–Vietnamese Idioms
1. Match the English idiom to its correct Vietnamese
meaning

2. Use the correct idiom to complete each sentence.
 (a blessing in disguise, let the cat out of the bag, break the
ice, hit the nail on the head)
She __________ when she guessed the reason for my sadness.
Losing that scholarship was ____________________.
He told a joke to ____________________ at the meeting.
I didn't mean to ____________________ about the surprise!

3.Translate these idiomatic sentences.
1. I had to bite the bullet and talk to the manager.
2. That new phone cost an arm and a leg.
3. She spilled the beans about the exam questions.
4. Work in pairs. Complete the dialogue using idioms.
A: Why didn't you come to the party?
B: I was ___________.
A: Oh no! You missed it. Sarah ___________ and told Jake
we were planning it!
B: Seriously? That must've been awkward.

MINI QUIZ: Idioms Practice
Choose the correct meaning of the idiom in bold.
1. He burned the midnight oil before the test.
a. Slept early
b. Studied late
c. Turned off the lights
2. That gift was a blessing in disguise.
a. A terrible thing
b. A lucky surprise
c. Something expensive
3. Don't let the cat out of the bag!
a. Keep the cat safe
b. Tell everyone
c. Keep it a secret

Key:
Ex. 1. Matching: 1–d, 2–c, 3–a, 4–b
Ex. 2. Using: 1. hit the nail on the head, 2. a blessing in
disguise, 3. break the ice, 4. let the cat out of the bag
Ex. 3. Translating:
Tôi phải cắn răng chịu đựng và nói chuyện với quản lý.
Cái điện thoại mới đó đắt kinh khủng!
Cô ấy đã lỡ tiết lộ về đề thi.
Ex. 4. Completing: under the weather / let the cat out of
the bag
Mini Quiz: 1–b, 2–b, 3–c

Good luck!