đẹp trai
[ʔɗɛp̚˧˨ʔ t͡ɕaːj˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for handsome is đẹp trai.
đẹp trai is the standard way to describe a man's physical attractiveness in Vietnamese.
Meaning: of man: attractive (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of đẹp, meaning beautiful or good-looking and trai, meaning male or boy.
Which one should you use?
While đẹp trai is used specifically for men, the word đẹp alone is used for objects, scenery or women (though đẹp gái is more common for women).
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the word quá after đẹp trai intensifies the adjective to mean so handsome or very handsome, as in đẹp trai quá.
Did you know?
- Using đẹp trai as a way to address a young man you do not know, such as anh đẹp trai, is a common friendly or flirtatious ice-breaker in markets and shops.
- While đẹp trai focuses on the face, the term phong độ is used to describe a man who is handsome in a mature, poised and dignified way.
- In some contexts, calling a man đẹp trai can be seen as slightly feminine or 'pretty', whereas lạnh lùng (cold/aloof) is often added to describe a 'cool' or masculine type of handsomeness.
Examples in context
- Đẹp trai quá!How handsome!This sentence shows how to express an exclamation of being handsome using đẹp trai.Tatoeba #13339793 by leucammieuvu, translation #436127 by lukaszpp
- Nhân tiện thì, anh ấy cực kì đẹp trai, cao hơn mức trung bình, mảnh khảnh, cường tráng, có đôi mắt đen rất đẹp và mái tóc màu nâu.He was, by the way, exceptionally handsome, above the average height, slim, well-built, with beautiful dark eyes and dark brown hair.This sentence provides a detailed description of a man's appearance using đẹp trai.Tatoeba #13787584 by leucammieuvu, translation #13787351 by Just_Balls
- Anh ta rất đẹp traiHe is very handsome
- Chàng trai này đẹp trai quá!This young man is very handsome!
- Anh ấy đẹp trai quá đi thôi!He is so handsome!
- Anh ấy đẹp trai như hoa hậu vậy đó!He is as handsome as a beauty queen!
- Anh ấy trông rất đẹp trai.He looks very handsome.
Example conversation
Chi and Nam are talking about a new coworker.
- NamChi thấy đồng nghiệp mới thế nào?What does Chi think of the new colleague?
- ChiAnh ấy vừa giỏi lại vừa đẹp trai.He is both talented and handsome.
- NamNam cũng thấy vậy.Nam thinks so too.
- ChiĐúng là một người rất thu hút.He really is a very attractive person.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “handsome” translations and entries đẹp trai, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
