Similes: nhanh như chớp

Vietnamese speech is full of fixed similes built as adjective or verb + như + image: nhanh như chớp (as fast as lightning). The image is set by habit, so learn each pair as one unit.

• Speed and strength: nhanh như chớp, chậm như rùa, khỏe như voi
• Price and crowds: rẻ như bèo (dirt cheap, since water hyacinth is worthless), đông như kiến (packed like ants)
• Character: hiền như Bụt (very kind), nhát như cáy (very timid), im như thóc (saying nothing at all)
• Habits: học như vẹt (learning by rote), ăn như mèo (eating very little), tiêu tiền như nước (spending freely)
• chắc như đinh đóng cột: absolutely certain

Như never changes. A few pairs have common variants, such as nhanh như gió, khỏe như trâu or rẻ như cho.