gừng
[ɣɨŋ˨˩]
The English word "ginger" is translated into Vietnamese as gừng.
gừng is the standard term for the spice. Depending on the specific type of ginger you are referring to, you may use more descriptive terms such as Gừng Tươi for fresh ginger or gừng già for mature ginger.
Meaning: spice (noun)
Which one should you use?
While gừng is the general term, Gừng Tươi specifically denotes fresh ginger. Adding the word già (meaning old) to gừng creates gừng già, which refers to mature ginger that is often chosen for a stronger flavor or medicinal use.
Did you know?
- In Vietnam, ginger is often used in the phrase càng già càng cay, which literally means 'the older the ginger, the spicier it gets'. It is used to describe people who gain wisdom and experience as they age.
- While 'ginger' is a spice in English, in Vietnamese culture, gừng is often viewed as a 'warming' element in the philosophy of food balance. It is frequently used to counteract 'cold' foods like seafood or melons to prevent stomach upset.
- While gừng refers to the spice, it is also used metaphorically in Vietnamese idioms to describe a person who is 'sharp' or has a pungent and strong personality.
Examples in context
- Tôi đáng lẽ nên uống trà gừng để đỡ đau bụng.I should probably drink some ginger tea for my stomachache.This sentence is useful for learning how to use gừng when discussing ginger tea for medicinal purposes.Tatoeba #13508445 by leucammieuvu, translation #13508287 by Nuel
- Tôi cần thêm một ít gừng vào món canh.I need to add a little ginger to the soup.
- Cửa hàng của tôi bán gừng tươi hàng ngày.My store sells fresh ginger daily.
- Cho tôi xin thêm gừng xanh vào đĩa mỳ.Please give me some ginger for the plate of noodles.
- Gừng có thể giúp làm giảm cảm lạnh.Ginger can help alleviate a cold.
- Tôi thích sử dụng gừng trong món ăn của mình.I like using ginger in my dishes.
- Tôi đã mua một củ gừng từ chợ.I bought a ginger root from the market.
- trà gừngGinger tea
- Mẹ tôi đang mua gừng ở chợ.My mother is buying ginger at the market.
- Cho thêm một chút gừng vào món cá nhé.Add a little bit of ginger to the fish dish.
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are preparing dinner in the kitchen.
- HùngLan ơi, trong bếp còn gừng không?Lan, is there any ginger left in the kitchen?
- LanCòn một ít ở trong tủ lạnh đấy.There is a little bit left in the fridge.
- HùngĐể anh lấy gừng để nấu canh.Let me get the ginger to cook the soup.
- LanCảm ơn anh nhé.Thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ginger” translations and entries gừng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
