trò chơi
[t͡ɕɔ˨˩ t͡ɕəːj˧˧]
The English word 'game' is translated into Vietnamese as trò chơi.
Trò chơi is a general term used for board games, video games and organized sports or recreational activities. For more specific contexts, you can use Trò chơi điện tử for 'video game' or Trò chơi thể thao for 'sports game'. If you are discussing the act of playing games, the verb chơi is commonly used, while Người chơi refers to a 'player' and Màn chơi refers to a 'game level'.
Meaning: activity described by a set of rules, especially for the purpose of entertainment (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase trò chơi is composed of trò (a trick, a game or a way of doing something) and chơi (to play).
Did you know?
- The word chơi is used in the phrase chơi vơi, which describes a feeling of loneliness or being adrift. Here, the root is linked to a sense of emptiness rather than entertainment.
- In the context of traditional Vietnamese theater, trò refers to a specific type of folk performance or short comic sketch. This links the idea of 'gaming' to the act of performing a role.
- The word chơi shares a linguistic ancestor with the Muong word chơl, which means 'glad' or 'jubilant'. This suggests the original concept of 'playing' was tied to the emotion of joy.
Examples in context
- Bắt đầu trò chơi đi.Begin the game.Tatoeba #13341186 by leucammieuvu, translation #11904582 by CK
- Thử trò chơi này đi.Try this game.Tatoeba #13341826 by leucammieuvu, translation #10808250 by Amastan
- Trò chơi đã kết thúc.The game ended.Tatoeba #13341796 by leucammieuvu, translation #11679025 by Amastan
- Tôi thích chơi các trò chơi điện tử.I like playing video games.
- Anh ấy chơi trò bảo vệ thành phố trên điện thoại di động.He plays city defense games on his mobile phone.
- Bạn có thích chơi trò chơi không?Do you like playing games?
- Tôi không thể ngừng chơi trò chơi này.I can't stop playing this game.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Lan are choosing an activity at a party.
- MinhLan ơi, em muốn chơi trò chơi gì?Lan, what game do you want to play?
- LanEm muốn chơi trò chơi ô ăn quan.I want to play the mandarin square capturing game.
- MinhTrò chơi đó rất hay đấy.That game is very good.
- LanVậy mình cùng chơi nhé!Then let's play together!
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trò chơi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chơi, trò, trò chơi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
