tiền mặt
[tiən˨˩ mat̚˧˨ʔ]
The Vietnamese word for cash is tiền mặt.
Tiền mặt refers specifically to physical currency, such as notes, bills and coins. While the general word tiền can refer to money in any form, including bank balances or digital transfers, tiền mặt is used when you want to specify physical money.
Meaning: money in the form of notes/bills and coins (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of tiền (money) and mặt (face/surface), literally meaning face money to distinguish physical currency from digital or credit-based money.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say by cash or in cash, use the preposition bằng before tiền mặt.
Did you know?
- When paying with tiền mặt, it is a common polite gesture in Vietnam to offer and receive money using both hands.
- The word for 'face' in tiền mặt is historically linked to the word for 'eye', which is mắt.
- In Vietnam, paying with tiền mặt is still deeply culturally preferred for small street food stalls and traditional markets over digital payments.
Examples in context
- Tôi không có tiền mặt nên tôi phải thanh toán bằng thẻ.I have no cash so I have to pay by card.This sentence shows how to express the need to pay by card when you have no tiền mặt.Tatoeba #11344724 by chaule3, translation #11344723 by chaule3
- Bình thường thay vì dùng tiền mặt, tôi dùng thẻ tín dụng.I usually use a credit card instead of cash.This sentence illustrates a preference for using a credit card instead of tiền mặt.Tatoeba #8995664 by dotheduyet1999, translation #5904763 by CK
- Tôi muốn trả bằng tiền mặt.I want to pay in cash.
- Anh ta rút tiền mặt từ ngân hàng.He withdraws cash from the bank.
- Tao chỉ có mỗi một xấp bạc trong túi.I only have one stack of cash in my pocket.
- Bạn có mang theo tiền mặt không?Do you have any cash with you?
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Mai are at a local market.
- MinhChỗ này có nhận thanh toán bằng tiền mặt không nhỉ?I wonder if they accept cash here?
- MaiEm nghĩ là họ chỉ nhận tiền mặt thôi.I think they only accept cash.
- MinhMay quá, anh có mang theo tiền mặt.That's lucky, I brought some cash.
- MaiVậy anh trả giúp em nhé!Then please pay for me!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cash” translations and entries tiền mặt, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mặt, tiền, tiền mặt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
