xe cứu thương
[sɛ˧˧ kiw˧˦ tʰɨəŋ˧˧]
In Vietnamese, the phrase for ambulance is xe cứu thương. Wiktionary also lists xe cấp cứu.
Meaning: emergency vehicle (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| xe cứu thương | [sɛ˧˧ kiw˧˦ tʰɨəŋ˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [sɛ˧˧ kɨw˨˩˦ tʰɨəŋ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| xe cấp cứu | [sɛ˧˧ kəp̚˧˦ kiw˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [sɛ˧˧ kəp̚˦˧˥ kɨw˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
Both xe cứu thương and xe cấp cứu refer to an ambulance. xe cấp cứu is more commonly used when requesting emergency medical services, such as in the context of calling for help.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase xe cứu thương is composed of xe (vehicle), cứu (to save/rescue) and thương (injury/wound). The phrase xe cấp cứu is composed of xe (vehicle) and cấp cứu (emergency/to provide emergency medical care).
Which one should you use?
xe cứu thương focuses on the vehicle used to transport the injured, whereas xe cấp cứu focuses on the emergency medical service or response itself.
Did you know?
- While xe cứu thương means 'ambulance', the word thương can also mean 'to love' or 'to pity' in a completely different context.
- The word cấp in xe cấp cứu originates from a Chinese character meaning 'rank' or 'level'.
- The word xe is so versatile that it is used for everything from a bicycle xe đạp to a motorbike xe máy and a car xe hơi.
Examples in context
- Gọi xe cấp cứu đi.Call an ambulance.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to call an ambulance using xe cấp cứu.Tatoeba #9808228 by dotheduyet1999, translation #19587 by CK
- Tôi sẽ gọi xe cấp cứu.I'll call an ambulance.This sentence is useful for expressing an intention to call an ambulance using xe cấp cứu.Tatoeba #10669076 by quoctrong018, translation #2546711 by CK
- Xe cứu thương vừa mới đến.The ambulance has just arrived.This sentence is useful for stating that an ambulance has arrived using xe cứu thương.Tatoeba #13173239 by leucammieuvu, translation #12286951 by CK
- Tôi cần gọi xe cứu thương.I need to call an ambulance.
- Một xe cứu thương đã đến sớm.An ambulance arrived early.
- Tài xế xe cứu thương phải lái cẩn thận.The ambulance driver must drive carefully.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Chi are walking on the street when they hear a siren.
- HùngNghe kìa, có xe cứu thương đang đến.Listen, an ambulance is coming.
- ChiCó vẻ như nó đang đi rất nhanh.It looks like it is going very fast.
- HùngHy vọng mọi chuyện sẽ ổn.I hope everything will be okay.
- ChiỪ, mong là họ sẽ đến kịp.Yes, I hope they arrive in time.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ambulance” translations and entries xe cứu thương, xe cấp cứu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cấp, cứu, thương, xe, xe cấp cứu, xe cứu thương, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
