chăn
[t͡ɕan˧˧]
The English word "blanket" is translated into Vietnamese as either chăn or mền.
Meaning: fabric (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| chăn | [t͡ɕan˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [t͡ɕaŋ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| mền | [men˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [men˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
Both terms refer to a piece of fabric used for warmth, such as a blanket.
Which one should you use?
chăn is the standard term used in Northern Vietnam, while mền is the form more commonly used in Southern Vietnam.
Is it said differently in some regions?
mền is the Southern dialect form, whereas chăn is the Northern dialect form.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are counting blankets, you should place the classifier cái before the noun, as in cái chăn.
Did you know?
- While chăn refers to a blanket, it is also used in the term chăn nuôi, which means 'to raise livestock' or 'animal husbandry'.
- The Southern term mền is actually a cousin to the English word 'cotton', as it shares a common root with the Chinese character for cotton fibers.
- The word mền shares an ancient linguistic ancestry with certain Korean words for quilts, reflecting how textile terms spread through East Asia.
Examples in context
- Tôi đã cho anh ấy một cái chăn.I gave him a blanket.This sentence demonstrates the use of chăn in a simple sentence.Tatoeba #8992593 by dotheduyet1999, translation #3916534 by CH
- Tôi muốn mua một cái chăn.I want to buy a blanket.
- Được, chúng tôi có nhiều loại chăn để bạn lựa chọn.Sure, we have various types of blankets for you to choose from.
- Cái chăn này rất ấm.This blanket is very warm.
- Hãy lấy cho tôi một cái chăn.Please get me a blanket.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Hương are preparing for bed.
- MinhHương ơi, cái chăn của anh ở đâu?Hương, where is my blanket?
- HươngNó đang ở trong tủ đồ đó Minh.It is in the closet, Minh.
- MinhAnh không thấy nó trong tủ.I don't see it in the closet.
- HươngĐể em tìm cái chăn cho anh.Let me find the blanket for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “blanket” translations and entries chăn, mền, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chăn, mền, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
