lợn
[ləːn˧˨ʔ]
The English word "pig" is translated into Vietnamese as lợn. Wiktionary also lists heo and cúi.
Meaning: mammal of family Suidae (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| lợn | [ləːn˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ləːŋ˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| heo | [hɛw˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [hɛw˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| cúi | [kuj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kuj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
The word refers to the mammal of the family Suidae. In an idiomatic sense, the phrase ăn như lợn is used to describe someone who eats greedily or messily, much like the English idiom "to eat like a pig".
Which one should you use?
While lợn is the standard term in the North, heo is used in the South. The word cúi is also a form of the word for pig.
Is it said differently in some regions?
lợn is the standard term used in the Northern dialect of Vietnam, while heo is the standard term used in the Southern dialect.
Did you know?
- In the Vietnamese zodiac, the 'Year of the Pig' is referred to as hợi, a term derived from Chinese, rather than using the common words lợn or heo.
- The Vietnamese word cúi is so ancient that it was borrowed by Old Khmer and later by Thai to name the 'Year of the Pig' in the lunar calendar.
- In certain contexts, the word cúi can actually mean 'to kneel' or 'to kowtow' rather than referring to the animal.
Examples in context
- Tom ăn như lợn vậy.Tom eats like a pig.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use lợn in an idiom about eating greedily.Tatoeba #9010615 by dotheduyet1999, translation #1025851 by CK
- Con heo béo thật đấy.The pig is really fat.This sentence uses heo to describe a pig that is fat.Tatoeba #11362826 by chaule3, translation #11362825 by chaule3
- Ở đây không có chỗ cho heo.We don't have room for a pig.This sentence uses heo to express that there is no room for a pig.Tatoeba #11486851 by OneJanuary, translation #11486536 by shekitten
- Tôi đã thấy một con lợn ở trang trại ngày hôm qua.I saw a pig at the farm yesterday.
- Nhìn con heo bé tẹo dễ thương kia!Look at that cute little pig!
Example conversation
Hương and Hùng are visiting a farm together.
- HươngNhìn kìa, con lợn kia dễ thương quá!Look, that pig is so cute!
- HùngĐúng vậy, nó đang ngủ kìa.True, it is sleeping right there.
- HươngChúng ta có thể cho lợn ăn không?Can we feed the pig?
- HùngĐể anh hỏi bác quản lý đã.Let me ask the manager first.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pig” translations and entries lợn, heo, cúi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cúi, lợn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
