Tết Nguyên Đán
[tet̚˧˦ ŋwiən˧˧ ʔɗaːn˧˦]
The English phrase "lunar new year" is translated into Vietnamese as Tết Nguyên Đán. Wiktionary also lists Tết and Tết ta.
Meaning: Lunar New Year (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| Tết Nguyên Đán | [tet̚˧˦ ŋwiən˧˧ ʔɗaːn˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tet̚˦˧˥ ŋwiəŋ˧˧ ʔɗaːŋ˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| Tết | [tet̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tet̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| Tết ta | [tet̚˧˦ taː˧˧] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
The term refers to the Lunar New Year holiday. While the full name is used in formal contexts, the shorthand Tết is frequently used to refer to the entire holiday season rather than just the specific day of the new year.
What does it mean word for word?
In the term Tết Nguyên Đán, the component Nguyên Đán refers to the first day of the lunar calendar.
Which one should you use?
Tết Nguyên Đán is the full, formal name of the holiday. In contrast, Tết is the most common way to refer to the holiday in daily conversation.
Did you know?
- During Tết, it is customary to avoid sweeping the house on the first day, as it is believed that sweeping away the dust also sweeps away the family's luck.
- The term Tết ta is used to distinguish the traditional lunar calendar from the solar calendar, which is called Tết tây.
- While Tết is the most common way to say the holiday, it is actually a non-Sino-Vietnamese reading of the Chinese character 節, which is read as tiết in formal Sino-Vietnamese contexts.
Examples in context
- Tết Nguyên Đán là một ngày lễ lớn ở Việt Nam.Lunar New Year is a big holiday in Vietnam.This sentence is useful for identifying that Tết Nguyên Đán is a major holiday in Vietnam.Tatoeba #11325036 by chaule3, translation #11325035 by chaule3
- Tết âm lịch, Tết taLunar New YearThis sentence shows Tết used as a way to say Lunar New Year.
- Chúc bạn có một kì nghỉ Tết vui vẻ.Wish you a happy Lunar New Year holiday.This sentence shows how to use Tết when wishing someone a happy holiday.
- Chúc mừng năm mới! Mong rằng bạn sẽ có một năm mới thật nhiều niềm vui, sức khoẻ và thành công!Happy New Year! Wishing you a year full of joy, good health, and success!
- Chúc an lành, phát tài, hưng thịnh!Wishing you peace, prosperity, and abundant blessings!
Example conversation
Hùng and Hương are discussing their upcoming holiday plans.
- HùngNăm nay bạn có về quê đón Tết Nguyên Đán không?Are you going to your hometown for the Lunar New Year this year?
- HươngCó, Hương sẽ về quê thăm bố mẹ.Yes, I will go to my hometown to visit my parents.
- HùngThế thì vui quá, chúc Hương một kỳ nghỉ tuyệt vời!That's great, I wish you a wonderful holiday!
- HươngCảm ơn Hùng nhé!Thank you, Hùng!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lunar new year” translations and entries Tết Nguyên Đán, Tết, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Tết, ta) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Nguyên, Tết, Tết Nguyên Đán, nguyên, tết, đán, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
