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

• ba que xỏ lá
• cờ ba que
• dân ba que