nói dối
[nɔj˧˦ zoj˧˦]
To lie in Vietnamese, use nói dối. If unsure, use nói dối. Wiktionary also lists nói láo.
Meaning: tell an intentional untruth (verb)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| nói dối | [nɔj˧˦ zoj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [nɔj˨˩˦ joj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| nói láo | [nɔj˧˦ laːw˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [nɔj˨˩˦ laːw˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
The standard and most versatile term for telling an intentional untruth in almost any context is nói dối.
What does it mean word for word?
The verb nói dối is composed of nói (to say/speak) and dối (to deceive/false).
Which one should you use?
While nói dối is neutral, nói láo is a more blunt, informal and sometimes aggressive way to say 'lie' or 'talk nonsense'. Among friends and peers, you might also hear the casual and playful term nói xạo used to mean 'lie'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
To turn the verb nói dối into the noun 'a lie', you add the classifier lời (word/speech) to the front to form lời nói dối.
Did you know?
- The word láo in nói láo is closely related to the term bố láo, which is a much more offensive way to describe someone being insolent or disrespectful.
- The word láo has been documented in Vietnamese texts as far back as the 1651 dictionary written by Portuguese missionaries.
- Vietnamese speakers may use nói xạo specifically for 'white lies' or harmless exaggerations that are not intended to cause harm.
Examples in context
- Đừng nói dối tôi.Don't lie to me.This sentence uses nói dối to show how to tell someone not to lie to you.Tatoeba #8963743 by dotheduyet1999, translation #452256 by enwilson
- Con người nói dối.People lie.This sentence uses nói dối to make a general statement about people lying.Tatoeba #13333823 by leucammieuvu, translation #10317655 by shekitten
- Chúng ta đều nói dối.We all lie.This sentence uses nói dối to state that everyone lies.Tatoeba #13598591 by leucammieuvu, translation #6440635 by CK
- Anh ấy nói dối về lý do không tham gia cuộc họp.He lied about the reason for not attending the meeting.
- Đừng nói dối tôi nữa.Don't lie to me anymore.
- Đừng nói xạo đi!Don't lie!
- Thật là một vụ lừa đảo lớn.That was a big lie/deception.
- 14 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn is questioning Chi about why she didn't tell him the truth.
- ChiTuấn, anh có đang nói dối em không?Tuan, are you lying to me?
- TuấnKhông, anh không nói dối đâu.No, I am not lying.
- ChiEm cảm thấy anh đang nói dối.I feel like you are lying.
- TuấnThật sự là anh không nói dối.I really am not lying.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lie” translations and entries nói dối, nói láo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dối, láo, nói dối, nói láo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
