viêm khớp
[viəm˧˧ xəːp̚˧˦]
The English phrase arthritis is translated into Vietnamese as viêm khớp.
The term refers to the medical condition of joint inflammation.
Meaning: inflammation of a joint (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of viêm (inflammation) and khớp (joint).
Which one should you use?
While viêm khớp is the standard term, you may see viêm khớp xương used to refer to the condition in a more clinical or descriptive sense, specifically involving bone or joint inflammation.
Did you know?
- While viêm khớp is the common term, you might hear people in traditional medicine settings refer to joint pain as phong if they believe it is caused by 'wind' entering the body.
- The word viêm is a Sino-Vietnamese term derived from the Chinese character 炎, which consists of two 'fire' radicals stacked on top of each other to represent heat and inflammation.
- To treat viêm khớp, many Vietnamese people use cao sao vàng, a traditional medicated balm that is massaged into the joint to create heat.
Examples in context
- Tôi bị đau khớp ở tayI have joint pain in my hand
- Ông ấy bị viêm khớp.He has arthritis.
- Viêm khớp có thể gây đau.Arthritis can cause pain.
- Bà cần chú ý đến bệnh viêm khớp.You need to pay attention to your arthritis.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about an elderly relative's health.
- TuấnHương, sao ông bạn lại đi chậm vậy?Huong, why is your grandfather walking so slowly?
- HươngÔng bị viêm khớp ở chân.He has arthritis in his legs.
- TuấnÔng có dùng thuốc không?Is he taking any medication?
- HươngCó, ông uống thuốc mỗi ngày.Yes, he takes medicine every day.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “arthritis” translations and entries viêm khớp, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries viêm, viêm khớp, CC BY-SA 4.0.
