Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| xuất sắc | [swət̚˧˦ sak̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [swək̚˦˧˥ ʂak̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| tuyệt vời | [twiət̚˧˨ʔ vəːj˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [twiək̚˨˩ʔ vəːj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| ưu | [ʔiw˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɨw˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
Vietnamese uses different terms to express excellence depending on whether you are describing a person's skill, an experience or a formal quality. Xuất sắc is used to describe exceptional performance, outstanding achievements or high-level skills, such as an excellent student or an excellent cook. Tuyệt vời describes something wonderful, amazing or something that provides a great experience, such as a wonderful trip or a wonderful person. In an academic context, describing someone's grades or achievements can also be done using the phrase rất giỏi.
What does it mean word for word?
The term xuất sắc is composed of xuất (to go out or emerge) and sắc (sharp or bright), literally implying something that stands out sharply from the rest.
Which one should you use?
Use xuất sắc when describing high-level performance, skills or achievements. In contrast, use tuyệt vời when describing something that is wonderful, amazing or provides a great experience.
Did you know?
- While xuất sắc describes a person's ability, using the word ưu to mean 'excellent' can be confusing because it is a homonym for a word meaning 'worry' or 'anxiety'.
- In Vietnamese academic grading, xuất sắc is not just a compliment but a specific formal rank. It is the highest possible classification for a degree, often translating to 'High Honors'.
- While tuyệt vời means 'excellent' or 'wonderful', the word tuyệt on its own can mean 'to cut off' or 'to end'. Using it to mean 'excellent' implies a quality so high that it surpasses all others and ends the competition.
Examples in context
- Tom là một người cha tuyệt vời.Tom is an excellent father.This sentence is useful for describing someone as a wonderful person using tuyệt vời.Tatoeba #9007606 by Kenbi93, translation #1167523 by CK
- Anh ấy là một đầu bếp xuất sắc.He's an excellent cook.This sentence is useful for describing someone as an excellent cook using xuất sắc.Tatoeba #11276017 by chaule3, translation #11276015 by chaule3
- Chồng cô ấy là một đầu bếp xuất sắc.Her husband is an excellent cook.Tatoeba #12006935 by dotheduyet1999, translation #309701 by CK
- Tôi rất thích công việc của bạn. Đó là một thành tựu tuyệt vời!I really like your work. It is an excellent achievement!
- Anh ấy đã hoàn thành công việc một cách xuất sắc.He completed the task excellently.
- Em hát rất giỏi!You sing excellently!
- Bữa tối hôm qua tuyệt đỉnh!Last night's dinner was excellent!
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Hung are discussing a recent project at work.
- ChiAnh thấy bản thiết kế mới thế nào?What do you think of the new design?
- HùngNó thực sự rất xuất sắc.It is truly excellent.
- ChiTôi cũng nghĩ vậy.I think so too.
- HùngCô đã làm rất tốt đấy, Chi.You did very well, Chi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “excellent” translations and entries xuất sắc, tuyệt vời, ưu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
