khỉ
[xi˧˩]
The Vietnamese word for monkey is khỉ.
khỉ refers to the primate. You may also encounter more specific terms like khỉ đuôi dài, which means long-tailed macaque.
Meaning: primate (noun)
Which one should you use?
While khỉ is the general term, loài khỉ is used specifically when referring to the species or in a scientific context.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting or referring to a single monkey, the classifier con is typically used before the noun, forming con khỉ.
Did you know?
- The phrase khỉ gió uses the word for monkey and the word for wind to create a common colloquial exclamation of annoyance or frustration.
- The monkey represents the ninth animal in the Vietnamese zodiac, where it is associated with cleverness and agility.
- The word khỉ is inherited from the Proto-Vietic root *kʰih.
Examples in context
- Đây là thịt khỉ.It's monkey meat.This sentence is useful for identifying meat as khỉ.Tatoeba #13334107 by leucammieuvu, translation #1117904 by Scott
- Kia là một con khỉ.That's a monkey.This sentence is useful for pointing out khỉ.Tatoeba #13334101 by leucammieuvu, translation #13179338 by araneo
- Tom là một con khỉ.Tom is a monkey.This sentence is useful for using khỉ to describe a person.Tatoeba #13334104 by leucammieuvu, translation #9752755 by shekitten
- Tôi đã thấy con khỉ ở vườn thú.I saw the monkey at the zoo.
- Loài khỉ ở Việt Nam rất đa dạng và thú vị.Monkey species in Vietnam are very diverse and interesting.
- Tôi nhìn thấy một con khỉ đang chơi ở sân sau nhà.I saw a monkey playing in the backyard.
- Tình cờ tôi nhìn thấy một đàn khỉ đang nhảy từ cây này sang cây khác.By chance, I saw a group of monkeys jumping from one tree to another.
- Đứng dưới cây, tôi ngắm nhìn con khỉ ngồi đan rơm.Standing under the tree, I watched the monkey sitting and weaving straw.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are at the zoo.
- HùngNhìn kìa Lan, con khỉ đó dễ thương quá!Look Lan, that monkey is so cute!
- LanĐúng vậy, nó đang ăn chuối kìa.True, it is eating a banana over there.
- HùngAnh muốn nuôi một con khỉ ở nhà.I want to raise a monkey at home.
- LanĐừng mơ, khỉ nghịch ngợm lắm Hùng ơi.Don't dream about it, monkeys are very naughty, Hung.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “monkey” translations and entries khỉ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries khỉ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
