How to Say “Bless You” in Vietnamese

By Ryan Richard • Updated October 2, 2026

sức khỏe

In Vietnamese, sức khỏe is the way to say 'bless you' to someone who has sneezed.

Meaning: said to somebody who has sneezed (intj)

Did you know?

While sức khỏe means 'health', Vietnamese speakers rarely say it after a sneeze in casual settings. Most people simply ignore the sneeze or offer a tissue without a specific phrase.
Instead of a religious blessing, the phrase sức khỏe literally translates to 'health'.
The word sức in this phrase shares an ancient root with the Chinese character 力, which means 'strength' or 'power'.

Example conversation

Mai and Nam are studying together in a library.

Mai

Hắt xì!
Achoo!
Nam

Chúc sức khỏe, Mai!
Bless you, Mai!
Mai

Cảm ơn Nam nhiều nhé.
Thank you very much, Nam.
Nam

Không có gì đâu.
You're welcome.

Sources

Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sức khỏe, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries sức, CC BY-SA 4.0.

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About The Author

Ryan Richard

Xin chào! I'm Ryan, a language enthusiast with a penchant for Vietnamese. I enjoy distilling complex linguistic concepts into simple, practical guides that make learning Vietnamese a breeze—whether you're trying to say "Babe" or "Colonoscopy". Beyond language, I have a deep respect for Vietnamese culture, food, and traditions. Hey, I even learned how to say "Chicken Pho." There's an inexplicable joy in sharing language skills—I hope my posts help you feel it too! When not writing, you'll find me exploring street markets or sipping hot chocolate, cherishing the rhythm of life.

Ryan RichardHelp make this guide better. Spot a mistake, know another way to say it, or have an example from real life? Share it below.

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