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What is a ‘Cái Nịt’? Understanding the Origin, Meaning, and Usage of This Unique Phrase.

Do you know what "còn cái nịt" means? If not, join us as we explore the origins, meaning, and usage of this trending phrase.

Administrator

14 July, 2024

The phrase “còn cái nịt” (literally, “still have the hair tie”) became an overnight sensation after it was used by popular TikToker Tien Bip during a livestream on May 7, 2021. But what does it mean, and where did it come from? Let’s find out together!

1What Does “Còn Cái Nịt” Mean?

A hair tie is typically used to tie hair or secure a bundle of banknotes.

“Còn cái nịt” literally translates to “still having the hair tie.” It refers to a situation where one has lost everything else but still has the hair tie, which is of little value. In other words, it’s like saying, “I’ve lost it all; all I have left is the hair tie.”

2Where Did “Còn Cái Nịt” Come From?

The phrase “còn cái nịt” originated from a livestream video titled “Chuyện nhặt được tiền” (Story of Finding Money) by Tien Bip on May 7, 2021.

On May 7, 2021, Tien Bip went live on TikTok with the aforementioned video. During the livestream, he expressed his skepticism about people honestly returning lost money to its owner. He argued that either the finder would feel too guilty to keep the money since everyone saw them find it, or the amount found was too small to bother with. However, if the amount were substantial, like 20 million VND, he joked that all one would have left is the hair tie used to secure the money bundle.

The clip primarily focused on the story of finding money.

The main content of the clip revolved around Tien Bip’s belief that if one pockets found money, it’s greedy, but if one returns it, they can’t spend it either, as it feels like “stolen” money. So, he jokingly concluded that in such a situation, all one could do is keep the hair tie.

Tien Bip further illustrated his point by using himself as an example. He said that if he found 20,000 VND, he would definitely return it, but if he found 20 million VND, all he would have left is the hair tie, as the money would “magically” disappear into the teacher’s pocket.

3When Did “Còn Cái Nịt” Become Popular?

After Tien Bip’s livestream on May 7, 2021, the video quickly went viral on social media, and the phrase “còn cái nịt” captured the imagination of netizens. They embraced the phrase for its humor and relatability.

The phrase “còn cái nịt” became popular as the clip spread across social media.

Netizens quickly turned “còn cái nịt” into a trendy expression, using it to indicate a complete loss or the absence of any remaining value or sentiment. It is often used in a playful manner, similar to expressions like “Dream on, dear!” or “Are you kidding me?”

4How to Use the Phrase “Còn Cái Nịt”

Once it became a hot trend, “còn cái nịt” found its way into various situations and conversations, ranging from finding money or objects to matters of love, borrowing, exams, and interpersonal relationships. Here are some examples:

The phrase “còn cái nịt” is used in various contexts.

– “Hey, do you have anything to eat?” “Still got the hair tie. Help yourself if you’re hungry.”

– “Do you still have feelings for me after our breakup?” “Hair tie only.”

– “Do you have any money left?” “Just the hair tie, Mom!”

– “I thought good things would come my way, but turns out… hair tie only.”

Now that you know what “còn cái nịt” means, feel free to use it in your conversations to add a touch of humor!

Frequently asked questions

The phrase ‘cái nit’ is a unique and playful Vietnamese expression that combines two words: ‘cái’, meaning ‘thing’, and ‘nit’, which is a made-up, nonsensical word. The phrase is used to describe something that is small, insignificant, or difficult to understand.

Vietnamese people use the phrase ‘cái nit’ in a lighthearted and humorous way to refer to something that is trivial or complicated. It can be used to play down the importance of a matter or to express confusion or exasperation about a complex situation.

While the exact phrase ‘cái nit’ is unique to Vietnamese, there are similar expressions in other languages that convey similar meanings. For example, in English, one might say ‘a trifle’ or ‘a fiddle-faddle’ to describe something insignificant or complicated.

While the phrase is generally lighthearted and harmless, it is important to use it with caution and cultural sensitivity. As with any expression, overuse or misuse could potentially cause offense, especially if used to dismiss or trivialize serious matters.

Here are a few examples: ‘Đừng lo về việc nhỏ nhặt ấy, nó chỉ là cái nit thôi!’; ‘Việc sửa lỗi này thật phiền phức, nó như tìm cái nit vậy!’; ‘Anh ấy cứ giải thích vòng vòng, nghe như đang nói cái nit vậy!’