bút chì
[ʔɓut̚˧˦ t͡ɕi˨˩]
The English word "pencil" is translated into Vietnamese as bút chì. Wiktionary also lists viết chì.
Meaning: graphite writing-instrument (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bút chì | [ʔɓut̚˧˦ t͡ɕi˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓʊk̚˦˧˥ t͡ɕɪj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| viết chì | [viət̚˧˦ t͡ɕi˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [viək̚˦˧˥ t͡ɕɪj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
Both bút chì and viết chì refer to a graphite writing instrument.
What does it mean word for word?
The term bút chì is composed of bút, meaning a pen or writing instrument and chì, meaning lead or graphite.
How does it change in a sentence?
To indicate that there is more than one pencil, you can add the classifier những before bút chì to form những bút chì.
Did you know?
- The term bút chì is a direct structural copy of the Japanese word enpitsu, making it a linguistic calque.
Examples in context
- Gọt bút chì đi.Sharpen your pencil.This sentence is useful for practicing the command to sharpen a bút chì.Tatoeba #13380621 by leucammieuvu, translation #456671 by lukaszpp
- Chiếc bút chì bị cùn.The pencil is blunt.This sentence is useful for describing a bút chì that is blunt.Tatoeba #13380629 by leucammieuvu, translation #10903637 by sundown
- Cái bút chì này bị cùn.This pencil is blunt.This sentence is useful for specifying that this particular bút chì is blunt.Tatoeba #13380628 by leucammieuvu, translation #10910252 by sundown
- Tôi cần mua một cây bút chì.I need to buy a pencil.
- 24 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Nam are in a classroom together.
- MaiNam ơi, cho mình mượn một chiếc bút chì.Nam, can I borrow a pencil?
- NamMình chỉ có một chiếc thôi này.I only have one right here.
- MaiCảm ơn Nam, mình sẽ trả ngay.Thanks Nam, I will return it immediately.
- NamKhông sao đâu Mai.No problem, Mai.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pencil” translations and entries bút chì, viết chì, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bút, bút chì, viết, viết chì, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
