cắt tóc
[kat̚˧˦ tawk͡p̚˧˦]Northern, Vietnam
The English phrase 'haircut' is translated into Vietnamese as cắt tóc. Wiktionary also lists hớt tóc.
Meaning: act of cutting of hair (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cắt tóc | [kat̚˧˦ tawk͡p̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kak̚˦˧˥ tawk͡p̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
Northern, Vietnam |
| hớt tóc | [həːt̚˧˦ tawk͡p̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [həːk̚˦˧˥ tawk͡p̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
Southern, Vietnam |
The term is used to describe the act of cutting hair. To express the idea of 'going to get a haircut', it is common to add the verb đi (to go) before the phrase, creating đi cắt tóc.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cắt tóc is composed of the verb cắt (to cut) and the noun tóc (hair).
Which one should you use?
cắt tóc is the standard term used in Northern Vietnam, while hớt tóc is a common alternative used in Southern Vietnam to mean trim or cut hair.
Is it said differently in some regions?
cắt tóc is the term used in Northern Vietnam, whereas hớt tóc is used in Southern Vietnam.
How does it change in a sentence?
Depending on the context of the sentence, cắt tóc functions as both a noun (a haircut) and a verb (to cut hair).
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the phrase cắt tóc can be part of a spiritual ritual where one cuts their hair to mark a major life transition or a vow.
- The verb cắt in cắt tóc originally meant to 'pluck' or 'harvest' rather than to 'cut' with a blade. It stems from an ancient Austroasiatic root that described the action of picking or breaking something from a plant.
- Traditional barbershops in Vietnam often use a distinctive red, white and blue rotating pole, a Western custom that became a visual shorthand for cắt tóc.
Examples in context
- Tom cần phải đi cắt tóc.Tom needs a haircut.This sentence is useful for saying that someone needs a haircut using cắt tóc.Tatoeba #9035527 by dotheduyet1999, translation #1164401 by CK
- Tôi có lẽ sẽ đi cắt tóc tối nay.I should go get a haircut tonight.This sentence is useful for expressing the intention to go get a haircut using cắt tóc.Tatoeba #13896420 by leucammieuvu, translation #13890945 by frpzzd
- Tôi muốn đi cắt tócI want to get a haircut.
- Anh/chị có thể làm đầu cho tôi được không?Can you give me a haircut?
- Hôm nay, tôi muốn cắt tóc ngắnToday, I want a short haircut.
- Giá cắt tóc ở đây là bao nhiêu?How much does a haircut cost here?
Example conversation
Minh and Mai are walking past a barbershop.
- MaiMinh ơi, anh muốn đi cắt tóc không?Minh, do you want to go get a haircut?
- MinhCó, tóc anh hơi dài rồi.Yes, my hair is getting a bit long.
- MaiTiệm này cắt tóc đẹp lắm đấy.This shop gives very good haircuts.
- MinhVậy chúng ta vào đó luôn nhé.Then let's go in there right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “haircut” translations and entries cắt tóc, hớt tóc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cắt, tóc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
