How to Say "Penguin" in Vietnamese

chim cánh cụt

[t͡ɕim˧˧ kajŋ̟˧˦ kut̚˧˨ʔ]

The English word "penguin" is chim cánh cụt in Vietnamese. Wiktionary also lists chim cụt cánh.

Meaning: flightless sea bird (noun)

Ways to say it

“penguin” in Vietnamese
Vietnamese	IPA
chim cánh cụt	[t͡ɕim˧˧ kajŋ̟˧˦ kut̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [t͡ɕim˧˧ kɛɲ˦˧˥ kʊk̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow)
chim cụt cánh

chim cánh cụt is the standard term used to refer to the flightless sea bird known as a penguin.

The phrase chim cánh cụt literally breaks down into chim (bird), cánh (wing) and cụt (short or cut).

chim cánh cụt is the specific name for the animal. In contrast, chim cụt cánh describes any bird that has a cut wing or is missing a wing.

Do not use chim cụt cánh to refer to the animal, as this literally means a bird with a damaged or missing wing. Use chim cánh cụt instead.

The word cánh meaning 'wing' originally comes from a Proto-Austroasiatic word meaning 'elbow'.
The term chim is part of a group of words in Vietnamese that can refer to both birds and other small animals depending on the context.

Tôi đã đọc một cuốn sách về những loài chim đáng yêu, bao gồm chim cánh cụt.
I have read a book about cute birds, including penguins.
Con chim cánh cụt đang bơi.
The penguin is swimming.
Tôi rất thích xem chim cánh cụt ở sở thú.
I really like watching penguins at the zoo.
Chim cánh cụt có bộ lông rất đẹp.
Penguins have very beautiful feathers.

Chi and Nam are watching a nature documentary together.

Chi

Nhìn con chim cánh cụt kia kìa!
Look at that penguin!
Nam

Nó đang đi lạch bạch trên băng thật đáng yêu.
It is waddling on the ice so cutely.
Chi

Nam có muốn đi sở thú không?
Nam, do you want to go to the zoo?
Nam

Được chứ, mình sẽ đi xem chim cánh cụt.
Sure, we will go see the penguins.

Sources

⭐Share⭐ to appreciate human effort 🙏