móng tay
[mawŋ͡m˧˦ taj˧˧]
The English phrase "nails" is translated into Vietnamese as móng tay.
The term móng tay is used to describe the hard coverings found at the ends of the fingers. You can also use the shortened form móng to refer to a nail, claw or talon.
Which one should you use?
While móng tay refers specifically to fingernails, you can specify toenails by replacing the word for hand, tay, with the word for foot, chân, to say móng chân.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, there is a traditional belief that one should not cut móng tay late at night to avoid bad luck or health issues.
- Beyond fingernails, the word móng is used in the term móng giò, referring to pork trotter or pig's feet in cooking.
- While tay means 'hand', it is also used in the term tay súng to describe a shooter or a gunman.
Examples in context
- Cắt móng tay đi.Cut your nails.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use móng tay when giving a command to cut one's nails.Tatoeba #13340670 by leucammieuvu, translation #2939445 by CM
- Móng tay của cô ấy rất đẹp.Her nails are very beautiful.
- Tôi cần sơn lại móng tay.I need to repaint my nails.
Example conversation
Chi and Minh are talking about a manicure.
- ChiMinh, nhìn móng tay của tôi này.Minh, look at my nails.
- MinhĐẹp quá, bạn mới làm móng tay à?So beautiful, did you just do your nails?
- ChiĐúng rồi, tôi vừa đi làm xong.Yes, I just finished getting them done.
- MinhMàu này rất hợp với bạn.This color suits you very well.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry móng tay, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
