anh rể
[ʔajŋ̟˧˧ ze˧˩]
The English phrase "brother-in-law" is translated into Vietnamese as anh rể.
In Vietnamese, you must specify whether the brother-in-law is older or younger than you (or the sister) by using 'anh' or 'em'.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of anh (older brother) and rể (son-in-law/husband of a daughter), literally meaning 'older brother-in-law'.
Which one should you use?
While anh rể refers to the husband of an older sister, em rể is used for the husband of a younger sister.
Did you know?
- The word anh in anh rể is also commonly used by wives to address their husbands in Vietnamese culture.
- In certain historical Vietnamese contexts, the way a couple addressed each other could reveal their social class, such as using 'thầy' and 'cô' if they were government employees.
Examples in context
- Chị tôi đã kết hôn và anh rể của tôi rất thân thiện.My sister is married, and my brother-in-law is very friendly.
- Em chồng của tôi là một người rất vui tính.My younger brother-in-law is a very cheerful person.
- Anh chồng của tôi là một người rất hiền lành.My older brother-in-law is a very gentle person.
- Anh rể tôi rất vui tính.My brother-in-law is very funny.
- Anh rể của cô ấy là bác sĩ.Her brother-in-law is a doctor.
- Tôi sắp gặp anh rể mới.I am about to meet my new brother-in-law.
Example conversation
Hùng and Chi are talking about Chi's sister's husband.
- HùngAnh rể của em làm nghề gì?What does your brother-in-law do for a living?
- ChiAnh ấy là một kỹ sư.He is an engineer.
- HùngAnh ấy có tốt bụng không?Is he kind?
- ChiAnh ấy rất tốt bụng.He is very kind.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry anh rể, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries anh, rể, CC BY-SA 4.0.
