tóc
[tawk͡p̚˧˦]
The English word 'hair' is translated into Vietnamese as tóc.
The word tóc refers to the mass of filaments on a human head. You can use kiểu tóc when talking about specific hairstyles, or màu tóc to describe the color of someone's hair. If you are discussing hair care, you can use the phrase Chăm sóc tóc. Additionally, the reduplicative form tóc tai is often used to refer to one's general appearance or hair in a more descriptive or colloquial way.
Meaning: mass of such filaments on the human head (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tóc refers specifically to hair on the human head, lông is used for hair on the rest of the body or animal fur.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word tóc is an uncountable noun in Vietnamese and does not change form to indicate plurality.
Did you know?
- In traditional Vietnamese culture, long hair was once a symbol of filial piety. Cutting tóc was historically seen as an act of disrespect to one's parents, as the body was believed to be a gift from them.
- The word tóc is a cognate with the Khmer word សក់ (sɑk) and the Mon word သော် (sok). This reflects the deep prehistoric linguistic links between these Southeast Asian languages.
- In some regional dialects or older poetic forms, tóc may be paired with adjectives to describe its 'flow' like water, reflecting a cultural aesthetic that prizes long, flowing black hair.
Examples in context
- Tôi cần sấy tóc.I need to dry my hair.This sentence shows how to use the word tóc in the context of drying it.Tatoeba #13874540 by leucammieuvu, translation #13874465 by Nuel
- Tôi đang chải tóc.I'm combing my hair.This sentence is useful for describing the action of combing tóc.Tatoeba #13896364 by leucammieuvu, translation #13889848 by frpzzd
- Giữ tóc của bạn ở đó!Keep your hair on!This sentence uses the word tóc.Tatoeba #3109163 by trieuho, translation #372127 by blay_paul
- Anh/chị có tóc đẹp.You have beautiful hair, sir/madam.
- kiểu tóc búi caoHigh bun
- tôi thích màu tóc đenI like black hair
- Bạn dùng sản phẩm chăm sóc tóc nào?Which hair care products do you use?
- 37 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lan and Nam are talking about a new haircut.
- LanNam, bạn thấy tóc của mình thế nào?Nam, what do you think of my hair?
- NamTóc của Lan trông rất đẹp.Lan, your hair looks very beautiful.
- LanCảm ơn bạn, mình mới cắt tóc hôm qua.Thank you, I just cut my hair yesterday.
- NamKiểu tóc này rất hợp với bạn.This hairstyle suits you very well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tóc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tóc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
