bán anh em xa mua láng giềng gần

Vietnamese

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓaːn˧˦ ʔajŋ̟˧˧ ʔɛm˧˧ saː˧˧ muə˧˧ laːŋ˧˦ ziəŋ˨˩ ɣən˨˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓaːŋ˦˧˥ ʔɛɲ˧˧ ʔɛm˧˧ saː˧˧ muə˧˧ laːŋ˦˧˥ jiəŋ˦˩ ɣəŋ˦˩]
• (Saigon) IPA^(key): [ʔɓaːŋ˦˥ ʔan˧˧ ʔɛm˧˧ saː˧˧ muə˧˧ laːŋ˦˥ jiəŋ˨˩ ɣəŋ˨˩]

Proverb

bán anh em xa mua láng giềng gần

1. (literal) one would sell one's distant brothers and sisters to buy a close neighbor
2. (figurative) a near neighbor is better than a far-dwelling kinsman