vẽ
[vɛ˦ˀ˥]
To draw in Vietnamese is vẽ. Wiktionary also lists vạch and dựng lên.
Meaning: to produce a picture (verb)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| vẽ | [vɛ˦ˀ˥] (Hà Nội, narrow) [vɛ˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
| vạch | [vajk̟̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [vat̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| dựng lên |
The primary term for producing a picture is vẽ. It covers both drawing and painting in an artistic context.
Which one should you use?
The form you choose depends on the nature of what is being produced. Use vẽ for artistic drawing or painting. Use vạch when you are drawing lines, marks or boundaries, such as a stripe. Use dựng lên when the sense of drawing refers to constructing or setting up a conceptual model, a plan or a structure.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the aspect of the verb vẽ by adding particles before it. To express the continuous aspect (is drawing), use đang vẽ. To express the past tense (drew or has drawn), use đã vẽ. To express the future tense (will draw), use sẽ vẽ.
Did you know?
- The word dựng is related to the word đứng, meaning 'to stand', suggesting a deep linguistic connection between the act of standing and the act of building or constructing.
- The concept of 'drawing up' a plan in Vietnamese uses dựng lên, which literally carries the sense of 'erecting' or 'setting up' something that was previously just an idea.
Examples in context
- Tôi đã không vẽ nó.I didn't draw it.This sentence shows how to express the negative past tense using vẽ.Tatoeba #10671755 by quoctrong018, translation #10671754 by quoctrong018
- Hãy vẽ một bức tranh.Draw a picture.This sentence provides an imperative instruction using vẽ.Tatoeba #13896745 by leucammieuvu, translation #3758155 by kayra220
- Anh ấy chỉ dùng bút chì để vẽ bức tranh.He used only pencil to draw the picture.This sentence shows the use of vẽ in a descriptive sentence about using a pencil.Tatoeba #11363178 by chaule3, translation #11363177 by chaule3
- Tôi thích vẽ tranh.I like to draw pictures.
- Học sinh giỏi vẽ tranh rất đẹp.The excellent student draws beautiful pictures.
- Cô bé ấy thích tô màu hoa hồng.That little girl likes to color roses.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Huong are sitting in a cafe with sketchbooks.
- NamHương ơi, bạn đang vẽ gì thế?Huong, what are you drawing?
- HươngMình đang vẽ phong cảnh phố phường.I am drawing the street landscape.
- NamBức tranh của bạn trông thật tuyệt!Your drawing looks amazing!
- HươngCảm ơn Nam nhé.Thank you, Nam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “draw” translations and entries vẽ, vạch, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dựng, lên, vạch, vẽ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
