kem
[kɛm˧˧]
In Vietnamese, the English phrase "ice cream" is translated as kem.
kem is the general term for the dessert. For example, kem tươi refers specifically to soft serve or fresh ice cream. The colloquial phrase đi ăn kem is commonly used to describe the social activity of "going out for ice cream".
Meaning: dessert (noun)
Is it said differently in some regions?
In the southern parts of the country, people use expressions such as kem cây to be more specific about ice cream bars.
When do people say it?
Kem bơ is a well-known Vietnamese dessert made with avocado. For ice cream served on a stick, you can use the term kem que or, specifically in the South, kem cây.
Did you know?
- In Vietnam, kem bơ (avocado ice cream) is a signature specialty often served as a blend of creamy avocado and a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
- The word kem is a shortened version of the French word 'crème', which entered the Vietnamese language during the colonial period.
- While kem is the standard term, you may also encounter the phonetic variations cà lem or cà rem in certain historical contexts or specific regional dialects.
Examples in context
- Tôi muốn ăn kem.I want to eat ice cream.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to eat kem.Tatoeba #13896380 by leucammieuvu, translation #1370839 by TuckingFypo
- Tôi cũng đã ăn kem.I ate ice cream, too.This sentence is useful for stating that you have also eaten kem.Tatoeba #8957771 by dotheduyet1999, translation #7046386 by CK
- Tôi muốn đi ăn kem.I want to go eat an ice cream.This sentence is useful for expressing the desire to go out and eat kem.Tatoeba #10267727 by Alex_do, translation #10259108 by bekindtoall
- Tôi muốn một cây kem socola, xin cảm ơn.I would like a chocolate ice cream bar, please.
- Tôi muốn một cốc kem dâu tâyI would like a cup of strawberry ice cream
- Bạn có đề xuất kem nào ngon không?Do you have any recommendations for delicious ice cream?
- Bạn muốn ăn kem không?Would you like to eat ice cream?
- Tôi thích kem socolaI like chocolate ice cream
- Tôi thích kem vaniI like vanilla ice cream
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Minh are walking past a dessert shop.
- MaiMinh ơi, nhìn xem, có tiệm kem kìa!Minh, look, there is an ice cream shop!
- MinhỒ, tôi thích ăn kem lắm.Oh, I love eating ice cream.
- MaiVậy mình vào mua kem nhé?Then shall we go in and buy ice cream?
- MinhĐược, đi thôi Mai!Okay, let's go Mai!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ice cream” translations and entries kem, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kem, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
