nụ hôn
In Vietnamese, the English phrase 'kiss' is translated as nụ hôn. Wiktionary also lists cái hôn.
Meaning: a touch with the lips (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| nụ hôn | |
| cái hôn | [kaːj˧˦ hon˧˧] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
The noun refers to a touch with the lips. Related verbs for the action of kissing include hôn and hun.
What does it mean word for word?
In the phrase nụ hôn, the word nụ literally means a 'bud' (of a flower), which metaphorically compares a kiss to a flower bud.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word hôn is the standard verb for 'to kiss' used in most contexts.
When do people say it?
In Vietnamese culture, it is not a common practice to greet with a kiss on the cheek, even among friends and family.
Did you know?
- The verb hôn is etymologically related to the act of 'smelling' or 'sniffing' in several related languages in the region.
- While hôn is the standard verb for 'to kiss', the variant hun is commonly used in Southern Vietnamese dialects.
- In traditional Vietnamese social interactions, showing affection through a nụ hôn is typically reserved for private settings rather than public greetings.
Examples in context
- Bạn nợ tôi một nụ hôn.You owe me a kiss.This sentence shows how to use nụ hôn to express owing someone a kiss.Tatoeba #13769885 by leucammieuvu, translation #2556296 by Hybrid
- Nó chỉ là một nụ hôn mà thôi.It was just a kiss.This sentence is useful for stating that something was just a nụ hôn.Tatoeba #11266523 by chaule3, translation #2953067 by CK
- Anh ấy hôn cô ấy trước khi đi làm.He kissed her before leaving for work.
- Cô gái đỏ mặt khi bị anh chàng hôn môi.The girl blushed when she was kissed on the lips by the guy.
- Một nụ hôn nhẹ lên má.A light kiss on the cheek.
Example conversation
A couple is saying goodbye before work.
- Tuấn TuanCho anh xin một nụ hôn trước khi đi làm.Let me have a kiss before going to work.
- ChiĐược thôi, lại đây với em nào.Alright, come here to me.
- Tuấn TuanNụ hôn của em là liều thuốc cho anh.Your kiss is medicine for me.
- ChiAnh thật là khéo nói, Tuấn ạ!You are such a smooth talker, Tuan!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “kiss” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (cái, hôn) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cái, hôn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
