ủi
[ʔuj˧˩]
In Vietnamese, the verb to iron (clothing) is expressed as ủi or là.
Meaning: to pass an iron over clothing (verb)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ủi | [ʔuj˧˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔuj˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
| là | [laː˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [laː˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
These verbs refer to the action of passing an iron over clothing to remove wrinkles. They should not be confused with the noun sắt, which refers to the chemical element iron.
Which one should you use?
The choice between the two verbs depends on the regional dialect being used. ủi is the standard term used in the Southern dialect, while là is the standard term used in the Northern dialect.
Is it said differently in some regions?
ủi is the standard term in Southern Vietnamese, whereas là is the standard term in Northern Vietnamese.
Related words
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not confuse the verbs ủi or là (meaning to iron clothes) with the noun sắt (the metal iron).
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the word là is most commonly known as a copula meaning 'to be', making its use as a verb for 'to iron' a striking homonym.
- The Southern verb ủi originates from a specific Chinese reading of the character 熨, which relates to the act of smoothing or pressing.
Examples in context
- Bạn phải dập bàn là trong khi nó còn nóng.You have to strike the iron while it's hot.This sentence shows how to use the form là in an idiom.Tatoeba #11265057 by chaule3, translation #1140008 by CK
- máy là tócHair ironThis phrase uses the form là to describe a hair iron.
- Tôi đang dùng bàn ủi để làm phẳng quần áo.I am using an iron to smooth clothes.
- Mẹ đang ủi quần áo.Mom is ironing clothes.
- Tôi đang ủi áo sơ mi.I am ironing a shirt.
Example conversation
At home in the morning, Tuấn is getting ready for work.
- TuấnChi ơi, em có thể giúp anh ủi cái áo này không?Chi, can you help me iron this shirt?
- ChiAnh để đó đi, em sẽ ủi nó cho anh.Leave it there, I will iron it for you.
- TuấnCảm ơn em, em thật là đảm đang.Thank you, you are so resourceful.
- ChiKhông có gì đâu, anh đi chuẩn bị đi.It's nothing, you go get ready.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “iron” translations and entries ủi, là, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries là, ủi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
