trà trân châu
[t͡ɕaː˨˩ t͡ɕən˧˧ t͡ɕəw˧˧]
In Vietnamese, bubble tea is called trà trân châu. Wiktionary also lists trà sữa trân châu.
Meaning: milk tea with tapioca balls (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| trà trân châu | [t͡ɕaː˨˩ t͡ɕən˧˧ t͡ɕəw˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʈaː˦˩ ʈəŋ˧˧ t͡ɕəw˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| trà sữa trân châu |
While trà trân châu is a general term for tea with pearls, the more specific term trà sữa trân châu is used when referring specifically to the milk version of the drink.
What does it mean word for word?
The term trà trân châu is composed of trà, meaning tea and trân châu, meaning pearl or pearls. The term trà sữa trân châu is composed of trà (tea), sữa (milk) and trân châu (pearls).
Which one should you use?
Trà trân châu can more broadly refer to any tea served with pearls, whereas trà sữa trân châu specifically refers to milk bubble tea.
Did you know?
- The term trân châu literally translates to 'precious pearls', elevating a simple starch ball to the status of a gemstone.
- In Vietnam, bubble tea is often treated as a social 'date' activity for teenagers and young adults, rather than just a quick drink.
- The word châu in trà trân châu is a Sino-Vietnamese term that can also mean a 'continent' or a 'political division' in other contexts.
Examples in context
- Cho tôi một ly trà sữa trân châu, xin cám ơnCan I have a cup of bubble tea, please?
- Cho tôi một ly trà sữa trân châu ngọt vừaCan I have a cup of bubble tea with medium sweetness?
- Anh/chị làm trà sữa trân châu ngọt vừa cho em.Can you make me a cup of bubble tea with medium sweetness?
- Cho tôi nước trà sữa trân châu không đường.Can I have bubble tea without sugar?
- Tôi muốn uống trà trân châu.I want to drink bubble tea.
- Trà trân châu này rất ngon.This bubble tea is very delicious.
- Bạn có thích trà trân châu không?Do you like bubble tea?
Example conversation
Tuấn and Chi are walking past a beverage shop.
- TuấnChi ơi, mình đi mua trà trân châu nhé?Chi, shall we go buy bubble tea?
- ChiÝ hay đó, Tuấn!That is a great idea, Tuấn!
- TuấnBạn muốn uống trà trân châu vị gì?What flavor of bubble tea do you want?
- ChiCho mình một ly trà sữa truyền thống.Give me a traditional milk tea.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bubble tea” translations and entries trà trân châu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
