hộp
[hop̚˧˨ʔ]
The Vietnamese word for box is hộp.
Hộp refers to containers that are generally small to medium-sized, such as a jewelry box, a matchbox or a cardboard box.
Meaning: cuboid space, container (noun)
Which one should you use?
While hộp is used for smaller containers, the word thùng is used for much larger, sturdier containers like crates, large shipping boxes or barrels.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The words hộp and cái hộp are widely understood and used across Vietnam with no significant regional differences.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify a single box, the classifier cái is typically added before hộp to form cái hộp. To indicate multiple boxes, place the word những before the noun phrase to get những cái hộp.
Did you know?
- Because hộp is a Sino-Vietnamese derived word, it shares a deep historical root with the Chinese character 盒, even though the pronunciation has drifted significantly.
- In a market, if you want to specify the material, such as a cardboard box, the word for the material will follow hộp directly to create a new compound concept.
- If you ask for a 'large box' using only the word hộp, a local might actually bring you a large tub or a barrel, because for bulky items, the word thùng is the standard choice.
Examples in context
- Đặt cái hộp xuống.Put the box down.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to put the hộp down.Tatoeba #3839319 by letuananh, translation #3155619 by CK
- Cô ấy đặt nó vào cái hộp.She put it in the box.This sentence is useful for describing putting something inside the hộp.Tatoeba #5209015 by truongap, translation #47519 by CH
- Cái hộp đó được làm từ gỗ.The box is made of wood.This sentence is useful for describing the material used to make the hộp.Tatoeba #9809046 by dotheduyet1999, translation #44451 by CK
- Xin đừng đùa với hộp đựng gia vị. Nó rất dễ vỡ.Please don't play around with the spice box. It's fragile.
- Hãy đặt một cái hộp trên kệ để giữ gìn nguyên vẹn nội dung bên trong.Place a box on the shelf to preserve its contents.
- Bạn đã lưu giữ những chiếc hộp từ thùng đồ cũ chưa?Have you saved the boxes from the old storage container?
- Tại sao chúng ta không đóng gói tất cả vào một cái hộp duy nhất để dễ quản lí hơn?Why don't we pack everything into a single box for easier management?
- Đưa tôi cái hộp sách đó được không?Can you pass me that book box?
- Đây là một cái hộp bánh quy đặc biệt.This is a special cookie box.
- Em có thể trả lại cái hộp chứa đồ của anh được không?Can you return the box containing my things?
- Khi mua đồ trực tuyến, hãy giữ lại cái hộp gốc cho trường hợp cần đổi trả.When buying things online, keep the original box in case you need to return or exchange the item.
- Hãy gửi tôi những chiếc hộp gỗ để tôi có thể tận dụng chúng để làm đồ trang trí.Send me the wooden boxes so I can repurpose them for decoration purposes.
- 12 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn and Chi are in the kitchen looking for a snack.
- ChiTrong cái hộp có gì vậy?What is in the box?
- TuấnChỉ có vài chiếc bánh quy thôi.It's just a few cookies.
- ChiAnh đưa cái hộp đó cho em.Give that box to me.
- TuấnĐược thôi, đây nè.Sure, here it is.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “box” translations and entries hộp, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hộp, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
