lạnh
[lajŋ̟˧˨ʔ]
The English phrase 'cold' is translated into Vietnamese as lạnh. Wiktionary also lists lạnh lẽo and nguội.
Meaning: having a low temperature (adj)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| lạnh | [lajŋ̟˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [lɛɲ˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| lạnh lẽo | [lajŋ̟˧˨ʔ lɛw˦ˀ˥] (Hà Nội, narrow) [lɛɲ˨˩ʔ lɛw˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
| nguội | [ŋuəj˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ŋuj˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
The primary way to express that something has a low temperature is using lạnh. For instances where food or drinks are no longer hot and have reached room temperature, you should use nguội instead of lạnh.
Which one should you use?
The forms of this word vary depending on the intensity and the context: lạnh is the general term for cold. Use lạnh lẽo to describe a more descriptive, intensified cold, often used for a desolate atmosphere or a feeling of loneliness. For weather that is intensely or piercingly cold, the word rét is used. Additionally, lạnh giá is a formal phrase used to denote a bone-chilling cold or a frosty atmosphere.
Related words
Did you know?
- The word lạnh is a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of the Chinese character 冷, which is otherwise read as lãnh in formal contexts.
- The formal term lạnh giá is used to evoke images of frost and ice, even in regions of Vietnam where it never actually freezes.
- In Vietnamese culture, describing a person as lạnh can imply they are distant, stoic or lacking in emotion, similar to the English 'cold-hearted'.
Examples in context
- Bạn có lạnh không?Are you cold?This sentence is useful for asking if someone feels the cold using lạnh.Tatoeba #8973840 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2244935 by CK
- Lạnh như băng vậy.It's as cold as ice.This sentence uses lạnh in a simile to describe something extremely cold.Tatoeba #11475734 by OneJanuary, translation #442090 by CK
- Hôm qua trời lạnh.Yesterday was cold.This sentence uses lạnh to describe the weather in the past.Tatoeba #13340792 by leucammieuvu, translation #6274184 by CK
- Hôm nay thời tiết rất lạnh.Today's weather is very cold.
- Nước này vô cùng lạnh giá vào mùa đông.This country gets extremely cold in winter.
- Trời ở đây lạnh như băng!The weather here is as cold as ice!
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lan and Nam are sitting in a room with the air conditioner on.
- LanNam ơi, em thấy hơi lạnh.Nam, I feel a bit cold.
- NamĐể anh chỉnh nhiệt độ lên.Let me turn up the temperature.
- LanCảm ơn anh, trong này lạnh quá.Thank you, it is too cold in here.
- NamỪ, anh cũng thấy lạnh rồi.Yes, I feel cold now too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cold” translations and entries lạnh, lạnh lẽo, nguội, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lạnh, lạnh lẽo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
