trên
[t͡ɕen˧˧]
The English word 'on' is translated into Vietnamese as trên.
trên is used to describe something being positioned at or resting against the outer surface of, or attached to, an object. It is also used to indicate being 'on' digital platforms, such as trên Facebook (on Facebook) or trên mạng (on the internet/online).
Meaning: positioned at or resting against the outer surface of, attached to (prep)
Which one should you use?
While trên can mean 'on' (touching a surface), it is also used to mean 'above' or 'over' when something is at a higher level but not necessarily touching the surface.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese social hierarchies, trên is used to refer to people of higher status or seniority, such as cấp trên for a 'superior' at work.
- The historical form of trên was recorded in the 1651 'Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum' as 'tlên'. This shows how the pronunciation has shifted from Middle Vietnamese to the modern form used today.
- The word trên appears in the term trên hết, which literally means 'above all' but is used to express that something is the most important priority.
Examples in context
- Bạc ở trên bànThe silver is on the table.This sentence shows how to say the silver is on the table using trên.Tatoeba #6546579 by duythanh, translation #2178281 by CM
- Có gì ở trên bàn?What's on the table?This sentence shows how to ask what is on the table using trên.Tatoeba #13896442 by leucammieuvu, translation #6357348 by CK
- Cái cốc ở trên kệ.The cup is on the shelf.This sentence shows how to say the cup is on the shelf using trên.Tatoeba #13980676 by leucammieuvu, translation #13971610 by rul
- vào thứ HaiOn Monday
- Vào thứ Hai, tớ sẽ gặp cậu.I'll see you on Monday.
- Tớ để quên điện thoại trên cái ghế.I left my phone on the chair.
- trên bànOn the table
- 169 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Hùng are looking for a book in the living room.
- MaiCuốn sách ở trên ghế không?Is the book on the chair?
- HùngKhông, nó ở trên bàn.No, it is on the table.
- MaiÀ, tôi thấy rồi.Ah, I see it.
- HùngNó nằm trên mặt bàn thôi.It is just on the tabletop.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry trên, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries trên, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
