đậu phộng
[ʔɗəw˧˨ʔ fəwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ]
The English word peanut is translated into Vietnamese as đậu phộng, đậu phụng or lạc.
Meaning: a legume resembling a nut (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| đậu phộng | [ʔɗəw˧˨ʔ fəwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɗəw˨˩ʔ fəwŋ͡m˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| đậu phụng | [ʔɗəw˧˨ʔ fʊwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɗəw˨˩ʔ fʊwŋ͡m˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| lạc | [laːk̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [laːk̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
All three terms refer to the legume resembling a nut.
What does it mean word for word?
In the term đậu phộng, the word đậu literally means bean or legume.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term lạc is the standard word for peanut in Northern Vietnam, and the specific phrase Cây lạc is used there to refer to peanut plants. In Southern Vietnam, the standard term is đậu phộng, while in Central Vietnam, đậu phụng is a common variation.
Did you know?
- In many Vietnamese contexts, the word đậu functions as a homophone for 'to pass' an exam, making it a lucky word in certain social circles.
- The Northern term lạc is a Sino-Vietnamese word meaning 'to fall'. This refers to the way the peanut plant pushes its pods underground, effectively dropping them from the surface.
- Because the word đậu can be a clipped form of đậu phụ, a person might momentarily confuse a conversation about peanuts with a conversation about tofu.
Examples in context
- Công thức này yêu cầu một chút lạc.This recipe requires a bit of peanut.
- Bạn có đậu phộng không? Tôi muốn ăn một ít.Do you have peanuts? I want to eat some.
- Tôi đã trồng một cây lạc trong vườn nhà tôi.I have planted a peanut plant in my garden.
- Tôi thích ăn đậu phộng rang.I like eating roasted peanuts.
- Hạt đậu phộng này rất ngon.This peanut is very delicious.
- Bạn có muốn ăn đậu phộng không?Do you want to eat peanuts?
Example conversation
Chi and Minh are looking at a menu in a restaurant.
- ChiMinh, anh có muốn ăn đậu phộng không?Minh, do you want to eat peanuts?
- MinhCó, tôi rất thích đậu phộng.Yes, I like peanuts very much.
- ChiVậy em sẽ gọi một đĩa nhé.Then I will order a plate.
- MinhCảm ơn Chi nhiều.Thank you very much, Chi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “peanut” translations and entries đậu phộng, đậu phụng, lạc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lạc, đậu, đậu phộng, đậu phụng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
