chim
[t͡ɕim˧˧]
The English word bird is translated into Vietnamese as chim.
chim is used generally to refer to any species of bird, much like the English word 'bird'.
Meaning: animal (noun)
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific bird or using it as a noun in a sentence, the classifier con is typically placed before chim to form con chim. If you want to indicate a plural number of birds, place the word những before the classifier and the noun to form những con chim.
Did you know?
- In certain Vietnamese contexts, the word chim can also be used as a slang term for a penis, similar to how 'cock' is used in English.
- Because of the tonal nature of Vietnamese, changing the tone of chim can completely change the word's meaning to something unrelated to animals.
- In Vietnamese culture, the term chim appears in various idioms where birds symbolize freedom or the fleeting nature of time.
Examples in context
- Anh ấy đã bắn chim.He shot the bird.This sentence shows how to use chim when describing an action.Tatoeba #13657100 by leucammieuvu, translation #13656748 by mervert1
- Con chim ở trên trời.The bird is in the sky.This sentence shows how to use chim to describe a location.Tatoeba #13861534 by leucammieuvu, translation #3812934 by muriloricci
- Con chim đang uống nước.The bird is drinking water.This sentence shows how to use chim to describe a current activity.Tatoeba #11475735 by OneJanuary, translation #10961080 by CK
- Năm nay, chim én trở về sớm hơn thường lệ.This year, the swallows returned earlier than usual.
- Có một con chim ưng đang bay cao trên đầu tôi.There is an eagle soaring high above my head.
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Minh are sitting in a park watching wildlife.
- ChiCó một con chim trên cành cây.There is a bird on the tree branch.
- MinhCon chim đó thật đẹp.That bird is so beautiful.
- ChiAnh có thấy con chim màu xanh không?Do you see the blue bird?
- MinhTôi thấy rồi, nó đang bay.I see it, it is flying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bird” translations and entries chim, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chim, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
