thợ nề
[tʰəː˧˨ʔ ne˨˩]
In Vietnamese, mason is translated as thợ nề. If unsure, use thợ nề. Wiktionary also lists thợ xây and thợ hồ.
Meaning: one who builds with stone or brick (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| thợ nề | [tʰəː˧˨ʔ ne˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰəː˨˩ʔ nej˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| thợ xây | [tʰəː˧˨ʔ səj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰəː˨˩ʔ səj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| thợ hồ | [tʰəː˧˨ʔ ho˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰəː˨˩ʔ how˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| phụ hồ |
The term is used to describe a person who builds with stone or brick.
What does it mean word for word?
In the term thợ hồ, the word hồ refers to the mortar or lime used in masonry.
Which one should you use?
While thợ nề specifically emphasizes the masonry/bricklaying aspect, thợ xây is a more general term for a construction worker or builder. In contrast, phụ hồ refers to the assistant or laborer who prepares mortar and carries materials.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Thợ hồ is a common, colloquial way to refer to a mason or bricklayer in everyday speech.
Did you know?
- The term thợ hồ uses the word hồ for 'mortar', which is a Sino-Vietnamese loanword that can also mean 'lake' or 'paste' depending on the original Chinese character.
- While thợ nề is the technical term for a mason, the colloquial thợ hồ is so dominant in daily speech that using the formal term in a casual setting can sound overly academic.
Examples in context
- Tôi muốn thuê một thợ xây để xây căn nhà mới.I want to hire a mason to build a new house.
- Anh ấy đã làm việc như một thợ xây từ khi còn trẻ.He has been working as a mason since he was young.
- Ông hàng xóm tìm một thợ xây dựng để sửa chữa mái nhà.The neighbor is looking for a mason to repair the roof.
- Chúng tôi đã thuê một thợ xây dựng để xây hàng rào.We hired a mason to build the fence.
- Anh ấy là một thợ nề giỏi.He is a good mason.
- Chúng tôi cần thuê thợ nề.We need to hire a mason.
- Người thợ nề đang xây bức tường.The mason is building a wall.
Example conversation
Minh and Hương are discussing home renovations.
- HươngMinh ơi, anh có biết thợ nề nào không?Minh, do you know any mason?
- MinhTôi có một người thợ nề rất uy tín.I know a very reliable mason.
- HươngAnh ấy có làm việc nhanh không?Does he work fast?
- MinhAnh ấy làm việc rất chuyên nghiệp.He works very professionally.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mason” translations and entries thợ nề, thợ xây, thợ hồ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hồ, phụ, thợ, thợ hồ, thợ nề, thợ xây, CC BY-SA 4.0.
