Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| cuộc sống | [kuək̚˧˨ʔ səwŋ͡m˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kuək̚˨˩ʔ ʂəwŋ͡m˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| sự sống | ||
| sinh mệnh | [sïŋ˧˧ məjŋ̟˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʂɨn˧˧ men˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
alternative form |
| sinh mạng | [sïŋ˧˧ maːŋ˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʂɨn˧˧ maːŋ˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
The term for life depends heavily on whether you are discussing biological existence, the daily experience of living or a precious human life.
What does it mean word for word?
The term cuộc sống is composed of cuộc, which is a classifier for events or processes and sống, meaning to live.
Which one should you use?
Use sự sống to refer to the biological state of being alive or the phenomenon of life, such as life on another planet. Use cuộc sống to refer to the experience of living, daily life or a person's lifestyle. Use sinh mạng when referring to a life as a precious or vulnerable entity, often in contexts involving saving or losing a life. Note that sinh mệnh is an alternative spelling of sinh mạng.
How does it change in a sentence?
The term sự sống uses the prefix sự to turn the verb sống (to live) into an abstract noun.
Did you know?
- The word sống can also mean 'raw' or 'untreated' in Vietnamese, such as when describing 'raw' meat or 'fresh' vegetables.
- The term sinh mệnh is a Sino-Vietnamese word derived directly from Chinese characters meaning 'birth' and 'fate'.
Examples in context
- Cà phê là cuộc sống.Coffee is life.This sentence shows how to use cuộc sống to express a passion or fundamental part of one's existence.Tatoeba #13344047 by leucammieuvu, translation #9695004 by shekitten
- Cuộc sống hồi đó tốt hơn.Life was nicer back then.This sentence illustrates how to use cuộc sống when discussing the quality of life in a past time.Tatoeba #13896191 by leucammieuvu, translation #13896056 by Nuel
- Cuộc sống đầy những bí ẩn.Life is full of mystery.This sentence demonstrates using cuộc sống to describe the nature of human existence.Tatoeba #13056018 by larsonnoah, translation #13056008 by Johannes_S
- Cuộc sống của mỗi người đều có những trải nghiệm khác nhau.Everyone's life has different experiences.
- Đời sống thành phố ngày càng phát triển.The city's life is increasingly developing.
- Sống là phải biết vui!Life is about knowing how to be happy!
- Cuộc đời tôi luôn đầy đau khổ và hạnh phúc.My life is always full of pain and happiness.
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting at a park about their lifestyles.
- NamBạn thấy cuộc sống ở đây thế nào?How do you find life here?
- LanCuộc sống ở đây rất yên bình.Life here is very peaceful.
- NamTôi cũng thích cuộc sống như vậy.I also like life like that.
- LanNó giúp chúng ta thư giãn hơn.It helps us relax more.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “life” translations and entries cuộc sống, sinh mệnh, sinh mạng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cuộc, cuộc sống, sinh, sinh mệnh, sống, sự, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
