tiền
[tiən˨˩]
The Vietnamese word for money is tiền. If unsure, use tiền. Wiktionary also lists bạc and đồng.
Meaning: currency (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| tiền | [tiən˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tiəŋ˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| bạc | [ʔɓaːk̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓaːk̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
slang |
| đồng | [ʔɗəwŋ͡m˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɗəwŋ͡m˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
tiền is the general translation of money and is the most commonly used term for both cash and currency. For specific contexts involving budgets or funds, such as in government or financial institutions, the term ngân sách is used.
What does it mean word for word?
The slang term bạc literally means silver.
Which one should you use?
While tiền is the standard term, bạc is used as slang. đồng is also a form of the word for money.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tiền is the standard and most common term. bạc is a slang term used in casual speech or songs. For formal settings like financial institutions or government contexts, ngân sách is used to refer to budgets or funds.
Did you know?
- Some linguists suggest that đồng may be related to an ancient Austroasiatic word for a 'shaman' who organizes dances.
- In Vietnamese, the word tiền is a homonym. Depending on the context and tone, it can mean 'money' or 'front/before'.
Examples in context
- Cô ấy có tiền.She has money.This sentence shows how to express possession of tiền.Tatoeba #13341807 by leucammieuvu, translation #11377949 by Amastan
- Cô ấy mất tiền.She lost money.This sentence shows how to express losing tiền.Tatoeba #13430906 by leucammieuvu, translation #2875685 by Amastan
- Cô ấy cần tiền.She needed money.This sentence shows how to express needing tiền.Tatoeba #13430910 by leucammieuvu, translation #2855477 by Amastan
- Bạn có tiền không?Do you have money?
- Ngân sách của công ty đã tăng lên.The company's budget has increased.
- Tối nay tôi đi làm kiếm lúa.Tonight, I'm going to work to earn some money.
- 255 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Minh are planning a trip to the market.
- MaiAnh có mang theo tiền không?Do you have any money with you?
- MinhAnh quên mang tiền rồi.I forgot to bring money.
- MaiVậy em sẽ trả tiền cho.Then I will pay for it.
- MinhCảm ơn em nhiều nhé.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “money” translations and entries tiền, bạc, đồng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bạc, tiền, đồng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
