khô
[xo˧˧]
The English word 'dry' is translated into Vietnamese as khô.
The word khô is used to describe something that is free from liquid or moisture. If you are describing land or soil that is specifically arid or barren and unable to support life, the term khô cằn is more appropriate than just using khô.
Meaning: free from liquid or moisture (adj)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Although khô is an adjective, if you want to use it as a verb meaning 'to dry something' (such as hair or clothes), you must use a causative verb like làm or để (for example, làm khô).
Did you know?
- The word khô is also used as a noun to describe a popular category of Vietnamese food, specifically 'dried' preserved items like mực khô 'dried squid' or bò khô 'dried beef'.
- In Vietnamese, khô can describe a person's personality or speaking style, implying they are 'dry' or lacking in emotion and warmth.
- The Vietnamese word khô is a Sino-Vietnamese term derived from the Chinese character 枯, which specifically refers to something withered or dead.
Examples in context
- Dùng khăn lau khô mặt đi.Dry your face with a towel.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use khô when referring to drying a face.Tatoeba #9004440 by dotheduyet1999, translation #41093 by CK
- Những cái que khô này dễ bắt lửa.These dry sticks catch fire easily.This sentence shows how to use khô to describe sticks that are dry.Tatoeba #13840985 by leucammieuvu, translation #55248 by sundown
- Thời tiết rất khô vì không có mưa.The weather is very dry because there is no rain.This sentence illustrates the use of khô to describe dry weather.Tatoeba #11325028 by chaule3, translation #11325027 by chaule3
- Nước mắt khôDry tears
- Tóc khôDry hair
- Đất khô hạnDry ground
- Đất khô cằn chẳng trồng được gìIn such dry land, nothing can be grown
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Nam are cleaning up after washing the dishes.
- ChiAnh lau khô cái bát này giúp em nhé.Please dry this bowl for me.
- NamĐược rồi, để anh làm cho.Okay, let me do it.
- ChiNó đã khô hoàn toàn chưa?Is it completely dry yet?
- NamRồi, giờ có thể cất đi được rồi.Yes, now it can be put away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “dry” translations and entries khô, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries khô, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
