How to Say "Garlic" in Vietnamese

tỏi

[tɔj˧˩]

The Vietnamese word for garlic is tỏi.

tỏi refers to the garlic plant.

Meaning: plant (noun)

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In Vietnamese folk beliefs, tỏi is used to ward off ghosts and evil spirits. This mirrors the vampire myths found in European cultures.
The word tỏi shares a mysterious linguistic link with the word tỉ, which means 'billion' in Vietnamese, suggesting a possible historical labialization.
Linguists compare the Vietnamese tỏi to the Nong Zhuang word soiq. This suggests the word for garlic may have been borrowed between the Vietic and Tai language groups.

Tôi ghét tỏi.
I hate garlic.
This sentence shows how to express a dislike for tỏi.
Tatoeba #13344337 by leucammieuvu, translation #8918609 by CK
Các loại rau củ, rau xanh thì được nuôi trồng tại vườn, ví dụ như xà lách, bắp cải, hành tây, tỏi, bầu bí, các loại củ cải, rau mùi tây, dưa chuột và bí đỏ.
Greens and vegetables grow in gardens, such as lettuce, cabbage, onions, garlic, gourd, parsnip, turnip, radish, horse radish, parsley, cucumbers and pumpkin.
This sentence provides a list of various vegetables that includes tỏi.
Tatoeba #12006995 by dotheduyet1999, translation #7311445 by jimkillock
Quý vị có thể thêm một ít tỏi để tăng hương vị cho món ăn.
You can add a little garlic to enhance the flavor of the dish.
Tỏi là một loại gia vị quan trọng có nhiều công dụng.
Garlic is an essential seasoning with many uses.
Hương thơm của tỏi tạo ra một hương vị độc đáo cho món ăn.
The aroma of garlic creates a unique flavor for the dish.
Bạn có mua tỏi không?
Are you buying garlic?

Minh and Mai are at a local food market.

Sources

Wiktionary, “garlic” translations and entries tỏi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
Word origins: Wiktionary entries tỏi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.

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