chuột chũi
[t͡ɕuət̚˧˨ʔ t͡ɕuj˦ˀ˥]
The English word 'mole' is translated into Vietnamese as chuột chũi. Wiktionary also lists chuột dũi.
Meaning: burrowing insectivore (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chuột chũi | [t͡ɕuət̚˧˨ʔ t͡ɕuj˦ˀ˥] (Hà Nội, narrow) [t͡ɕuək̚˨˩ʔ t͡ɕuj˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| chuột dũi | dialectal |
The term refers to a burrowing insectivore.
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of chuột (mouse/rat) and chũi (a term specifically referring to the mole or its digging behavior).
Which one should you use?
While chuột chũi is the standard term, chuột dũi is a dialectal variation used in certain regions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
chuột dũi is a dialectal form used in specific regional Vietnamese dialects.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the word chuột is used to describe a 'biceps' muscle. This mirrors a similar quirk in Latin, where the word for 'muscle' literally means 'little mouse'.
Examples in context
- Con chuột chũi đang đào hang.The mole is digging a hole.
- Tôi thấy một con chuột chũi trong vườn.I saw a mole in the garden.
- Chuột chũi thích ăn giun.Moles like to eat worms.
Example conversation
Minh and Mai are looking at the garden after a rainstorm.
- MaiMinh ơi, nhìn kìa, có một con chuột chũi!Minh, look, there is a mole!
- MinhNó vừa mới chui lên từ dưới đất.It just popped up from the ground.
- MaiCon chuột chũi này làm hỏng cỏ rồi.This mole has ruined the grass.
- MinhĐể anh đi kiểm tra cái hang.Let me go check the hole.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “mole” translations and entries chuột chũi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chuột, CC BY-SA 4.0.
