Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| dứa | [zɨə˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [jɨə˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| thơm | [tʰəːm˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰəːm˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| khóm | [xɔm˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kʰɔm˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| huyền nương |
In Vietnamese, there are several words used to refer to the pineapple fruit depending on the region and context. While dứa is a standard noun for the fruit, the word thơm is also frequently used and can function as both a noun for the fruit and an adjective.
What does it mean word for word?
The word thơm literally means fragrant or aromatic, which refers to the characteristic scent of the fruit.
Which one should you use?
The word thơm is a common name for the fruit, but it is also a common adjective meaning fragrant.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Northern Vietnam, dứa is the most common term. In Southern Vietnam, specifically the Mekong Delta region, you may use thơm to refer to a pineapple. In Southern Vietnam, khóm is also used as a regional synonym, often referring to the plant or a cluster.
Did you know?
- The word dứa originally referred to the pandan plant. To distinguish them, pandan is now often called dứa dại, which means 'wild pineapple'.
- In the Mekong Delta, you might call a pineapple khóm, a term that may have been influenced by the word xóm, meaning 'hamlet' or 'neighborhood'.
Examples in context
- Tôi đã mua một trái dứa thơm tại chợ.I bought a delicious pineapple at the market.
- Bạn muốn uống nước ép dứa không?Do you want some pineapple juice?
- Cuối tuần này chúng ta hãy tổ chức một buổi tiệc dứa nhé!Let's have a pineapple party this weekend!
- Tôi muốn mua một quả dứa.I want to buy a pineapple.
- Quả dứa này rất ngọt.This pineapple is very sweet.
- Bạn có thích ăn dứa không?Do you like eating pineapple?
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are at a fruit market.
- NamChi ơi, nhìn quả dứa này tươi quá.Chi, look at this pineapple, it is so fresh.
- ChiĐúng rồi, Nam mua một quả nhé.That's right, Nam, please buy one.
- NamChúng ta sẽ làm salad dứa cho bữa tối.We will make pineapple salad for dinner.
- ChiÝ kiến hay đấy!That is a great idea!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pineapple” translations and entries dứa, thơm, khóm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dứa, huyền, khóm, thơm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
