cánh tay
[kajŋ̟˧˦ taj˧˧]
The English word "arm" in Vietnamese is cánh tay. Wiktionary also lists tay.
Meaning: upper appendage from shoulder to wrist (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| cánh tay | [kajŋ̟˧˦ taj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kɛɲ˦˧˥ taj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| tay | [taj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [taj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The term refers to the upper appendage from the shoulder to the wrist.
Which one should you use?
cánh tay is a more formal or descriptive term often used to refer to the entire limb as a single unit in a precise or anatomical context. In contrast, tay is a common, everyday term used for both "arm" and "hand" when the distinction between the two is not strictly necessary.
Related words
Did you know?
- The word tay is used in many idioms to describe a person's skill or role, such as tay súng for a 'shooter' or tay lái for a 'driver'.
- The word cánh in cánh tay comes from a Proto-Austroasiatic root that originally meant 'elbow'.
- The term cánh tay is often used metaphorically in the phrase cánh tay phải, meaning 'right-hand man', to describe a most trusted assistant.
Examples in context
- Cánh tay tôi đau.My arm hurts.This sentence is useful for expressing that your cánh tay is in pain.Tatoeba #13769943 by leucammieuvu, translation #1369200 by sacredceltic
- Anh ấy đã bị gãy tay khi anh ấy ngã.He broke his arm when he fell.This sentence is useful for describing an injury to the tay.Tatoeba #11295321 by chaule3, translation #11295317 by chaule3
- Vai tôi đau khi tôi nhấc cánh tay của mình lên.My shoulder hurts when I lift my arm.This sentence is useful for describing shoulder pain when lifting your cánh tay.Tatoeba #11325134 by chaule3, translation #10749902 by maaster
- Tôi bị đau ở cánh tayI have pain in my arm.
- Cánh tay trái của tôi tê rất nhiềuMy left arm is very numb.
- Chấn thương ở tay của anh ấy rất nặngHis arm injury is severe.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng is helping Mai carry some heavy boxes.
- MaiAnh Hùng ơi, giúp em một tay với.Hùng, please help me out.
- Hùng HungĐược chứ, để anh bê giúp em.Sure, let me carry them for you.
- MaiCảm ơn anh, em mỏi cả cánh tay.Thank you, my arm is tired.
- Hùng HungNghỉ một lát đi em.Take a little rest.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arm” translations and entries cánh tay, tay, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cánh, cánh tay, tay, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
