tên
[ten˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for name is tên.
tên is a noun used to indicate a particular person, place, class or thing. If you are referring to someone's full name, you should use the phrase họ và tên, which literally translates to 'surname and name'.
Meaning: word or phrase indicating a particular person, place, class or thing (noun)
Which one should you use?
While tên is the noun for 'name', use the verb phrase đặt tên if you want to describe the action of naming or giving a name to someone or something.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a noun, tên does not change its form to indicate singular or plural usage. When asking for someone's name, you can use two common structures: Tên + [pronoun] + là gì? or [Pronoun] + tên là gì?
Did you know?
- The word tên actually shares its history with the Chinese character for 'arrow', which is 箭.
- Vietnamese children often have a tên that is a common noun, such as 'peach' or 'flower', to evoke certain qualities or luck.
- When addressing people, it is more common to use their name combined with a kinship term, such as Anh [Name] or Chị [Name], rather than just the name alone.
Examples in context
- Tên bạn là gì?What's your name?This sentence is useful for asking 'What's your name?' using the tên form.Tatoeba #4950229 by ChinesePoster, translation #408293 by CK
- Bạn tên là gì?What is your name?This sentence is another way to ask 'What is your name?' using the tên form.Tatoeba #9555190 by Alex_do, translation #70623 by frpzzd
- Tên tôi là ShuMy name is Shu.This sentence is useful for stating 'My name is Shu' using the tên form.Tatoeba #10670195 by quoctrong018, translation #1460042 by piksea
- 141 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hương and Minh are at a cafe and need to write down their names for a reservation.
- HươngTên của anh là gì?What is your name?
- MinhTên tôi là Minh.My name is Minh.
- HươngVui lòng viết tên vào đây.Please write your name here.
- MinhĐược, tôi viết xong rồi.Okay, I have finished writing it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “name” translations and entries tên, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries tên, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
