Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| trốn | [t͡ɕon˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʈoŋ˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| nấp | [nəp̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [nəp̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| núp | [nup̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [nup̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| náu | [naw˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [naw˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
The primary meaning of these words is to put oneself in a place where one is harder to find. In a specific cultural context, the game 'hide and seek' is called trốn tìm. Note that the related forms da, bộ da and bộ bì refer to the skin of an animal, rather than the act of hiding.
Which one should you use?
While all these words involve hiding, they carry different nuances. Use trốn when the primary intent is to avoid detection or to escape from someone or something. Use nấp when someone is specifically hiding behind or under a certain object for cover. Náu is used in the context of seeking refuge or asylum.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
You can turn the verb into an imperative command by adding the particle đi to the end, such as in trốn đi (Go hide!).
Did you know?
- While 'hide' often implies a person acting alone, the Vietnamese word trốn is frequently used to describe escaping from a responsibility or a person, much like the English 'to dodge' something.
- The word trốn has cognates in other languages like Arem and Tho, suggesting that the concept of 'hiding' has been a fundamental part of the linguistic family for millennia.
- The verb núp often implies a physical posture, such as crouching or huddling, to stay out of sight.
Examples in context
- Trốn sau cánh cửa.Hide behind the door.This sentence shows how to use trốn to describe hiding behind an object.Tatoeba #13173308 by leucammieuvu, translation #12167751 by CK
- Không cần phải trốn.There's no need to hide.This sentence uses trốn to express that there is no necessity to hide.Tatoeba #13397414 by tridz, translation #4015344 by CK
- Trốn đi.Hide.This sentence uses trốn as a command to hide.Tatoeba #13634913 by leucammieuvu, translation #8907581 by CK
- Bạn có thể giấu quà này trong phòng ngủ.You can hide this gift in the bedroom.
- Cún nhỏ thích ẩn nấp dưới bàn.The small dog likes to hide under the table.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Hương are playing hide and seek at home.
- HùngHương ơi, em trốn ở đâu rồi?Huong, where are you hiding?
- HươngEm đang trốn ở trong bếp!I am hiding in the kitchen!
- HùngAnh thấy em rồi nhé.I see you now.
- HươngAnh tìm em giỏi quá.You are so good at finding me.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hide” translations and entries trốn, nấp, núp, náu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries náu, núp, nấp, trốn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
