Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of aquatic fern: "bèo ong" refers to a small, free-floating aquatic plant, often found on the surface of calm water like ponds or lakes. It is characterized by its tiny, oval leaves that grow in pairs.
   • Floating moss: This is a common descriptive name, as the plant forms dense, moss-like mats on the water's surface.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Mặt hồ phủ đầy bèo ong. (The surface of the lake is covered with floating moss.)
  • Bèo ong phát triển rất nhanh trong môi trường nước tĩnh. (Salvinia grows very quickly in still water environments.)

Advanced Usage

• "bèo ong bèo bọt": This idiom uses "bèo ong" metaphorically. It describes something as trivial, worthless, or insignificant, like flotsam or pond scum.
  • Anh ta coi những lời hứa ấy chỉ là bèo ong bèo bọt. (He considers those promises to be utterly worthless.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bèo cái (n): Water hyacinth, a different, larger floating aquatic plant.
• Bèo tấm (n): Duckweed, another very small floating plant.
• Bèo hoa dâu (n): Azolla, a small floating fern often used as fertilizer in rice paddies.

Synonyms

• Salvinia (n): The scientific genus name for "bèo ong".
• Floating fern (n): A direct English translation describing its nature.

Related Phrases

• Phủ kín như bèo ong: To cover densely like salvinia (often used figuratively).
  • Cỏ dại mọc phủ kín như bèo ong. (The weeds grew, covering the ground densely like salvinia.)

Related Idioms

• (Có tiền) mua tiên cũng được, (không tiền) mua bèo cũng không xong: This common proverb contrasts the power of having money ("you can even buy a fairy") with the helplessness of being penniless ("you can't even buy "). While it uses the general word "bèo" (aquatic plants), it highlights the cultural perception of these plants as something of minimal value.
  • Đúng là có tiền mua tiên cũng được. Giờ tôi không tiền, mua bèo cũng chẳng xong. (It's true that with money you can get anything. Now, without money, I can't even afford the cheapest thing.)

1. Floating moss