bố láo
What does bố láo mean? bố láo is a Vietnamese strong that translates to “insolent / cocky piece of shit” in English.
Literal Translation
arrogant father
Meaning & Usage
"insolent / cocky piece of shit"
Someone who acts arrogantly above their station. It literally combines 'father' (bố) with 'insolent/fake' (láo), implying someone is illegitimately claiming the authority of a father figure.
Examples in the Wild
A boss tearing down an arrogant junior employee: 'Mày đừng có thái độ bố láo ở đây!' (Don't bring your cocky attitude in here!)
When to Use It
Context
- Informal settings where profanity is accepted
- Expressing strong frustration or emphasis
- Direct confrontation (use with caution)
Avoid
- Professional or formal settings
- Around elders or authority figures
- Job interviews, meetings, or customer-facing situations
Cultural Context
Vietnamese culture is strictly hierarchical. Acting 'above your level'—whether you're young talking back to old, or an employee questioning a boss without tact—is not just rude, it's a disruption of the cosmic order. 'Bố láo' is the verdict handed down when someone violates this hierarchy. The matching phrase 'ăn cắp' (thief) is frequently added: 'Bố láo bố lếu' or 'Bố láo ăn cắp'.
More in Vietnamese 🇻🇳
View all →bê đê
“fag / queer”
Derived from the French word 'pédéraste'. It is the most ubiquitous term for a gay man or an effeminate male in Vietnam.
đm
“fuck / wtf”
The texting abbreviation of 'đụ má.' Two letters that every Vietnamese person under 40 can decode instantly. It's become so ubiquitous in online spaces that it functions less as profanity and more as punctuation — surprise, frustration, emphasis, even approval.
xạo lồn
“bullshitting / talking out of your ass”
Lying, boasting, or fabricating stories to look impressive. 'Xạo' means lying/fake; 'lồn' is added purely as an aggressive metric of magnitude.
mẹ mày
“your mother / fuck you”
Just two words — 'your mother' — but in Vietnamese, this is a complete insult. You don't need to specify what about their mother. The implication hangs in the air, and everyone fills in the worst possible meaning. It's the loaded gun of Vietnamese profanity: the trigger is pulled by context.
địt mẹ
“motherfucker / fuck your mother”
Northern Vietnamese equivalent of 'đụ má.' Uses formal 'mẹ' instead of casual 'má,' making it more severe. The gravest insult in Vietnamese culture.
địt mẹ mày
“fuck your mother / motherfucker”
The full Northern form with the target pronoun attached. If 'địt mẹ' is a grenade, adding 'mày' is pulling the pin and throwing it directly at someone's face. This isn't venting frustration — this is declaring war.
vl
“holy shit / very / wow”
Texting abbreviation for 'vãi lồn.' Expresses surprise or intensity.
thằng ngu
“stupid bastard / dumbass”
'Thằng' is the male classifier that already carries contempt — it's what you use for boys, servants, or men you don't respect. Pair it with 'ngu' (stupid) and you've got a complete dismissal of someone's intelligence and social standing in two syllables.