cái chết
[kaːj˧˦ t͡ɕet̚˧˦]word by word
The English word "death" is translated into Vietnamese as cái chết.
Cái chết is used to refer to the abstract concept of death or a specific event of dying. For a more poetic way to describe death, you can use lìa đời, which implies parting from life or leaving this world. Additionally, the phrase ra đi serves as an elegant way to say someone has departed or gone away in the context of death.
Meaning: cessation of life (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
Cái chết is composed of the classifier cái (used for inanimate objects or concepts) and the noun chết (to die or dead).
Which one should you use?
Cái chết refers to the concept or event itself, whereas chết alone is primarily used as a verb meaning "to die." To refer to the personification of death, such as the Grim Reaper or the God of Death, use tử thần or thần chết.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In polite or formal contexts, such as when discussing the death of a person, it is more appropriate to use the phrase sự qua đời (passing or passing away) to avoid being too blunt.
Related words
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Examples in context
- Janos đã chết một cái chết đau đớn.Janos died a violent death.This sentence shows how to describe a violent cái chết.Tatoeba #12132267 by phongvu, translation #12033514 by Amastan
- Bạn phải lựa chọn danh dự và cái chết.You have to choose between honor and death.This sentence illustrates a choice between honor and cái chết.Tatoeba #1510799 by trieuho, translation #1510797 by Eldad
- Cái chết không giải quyết được vấn đề.Death does not solve the problem.This sentence demonstrates the use of cái chết in a general statement.Tatoeba #13910326 by leucammieuvu, translation #13910197 by rul
- Bà tôi đã quá cố từ lâu.My grandmother passed away a long time ago.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are discussing a character in a novel.
- LanHùng, bạn nghĩ sao về cái chết của nhân vật này?Hung, what do you think about this character's death?
- HùngNó thật sự rất đáng tiếc, Lan ạ.It is truly very regrettable, Lan.
- LanĐúng vậy, cái chết đó làm tôi rất buồn.Yes, that death makes me very sad.
- HùngTôi cũng cảm thấy như vậy.I feel the same way.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cái, chết) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chết, cái, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
