máy bay
[maj˧˦ ʔɓaj˧˧]
The English word 'plane' is translated into Vietnamese as máy bay. Wiktionary also lists tàu bay and phi cơ.
Meaning: airplane (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| máy bay | [maj˧˦ ʔɓaj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [maj˨˩˦ ʔɓaj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| tàu bay | [taw˨˩ ʔɓaj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [taw˦˩ ʔɓaj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
poetic |
| phi cơ | [fi˧˧ kəː˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [fɪj˧˧ kəː˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
South, Vietnam |
The term máy bay is the standard, everyday word used to refer to an airplane. If you want to say 'plane ticket', you can combine the word for ticket, vé, with the word for plane to say vé máy bay.
What does it mean word for word?
The word máy bay is a compound of máy, meaning machine and bay, meaning to fly.
Which one should you use?
While máy bay is the standard term for an airplane, tàu bay is used in more literary or poetic contexts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
tàu bay is a more formal or poetic way to refer to an aircraft, carrying a sense of 'flying vessel'.
Related words
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese slang, the phrase máy bay is used to describe a woman who is significantly older than her boyfriend or husband.
- The word phi in the formal phi cơ doesn't just mean 'to fly', it can also mean 'to gallop'.
Examples in context
- Tôi đã lên nhầm máy bay.I got the wrong plane.This sentence shows how to use máy bay when talking about getting on the wrong plane.Tatoeba #13855671 by leucammieuvu, translation #13855447 by tieguy
- Mũi máy bay đã chúi xuống.The nose of the plane pitched down.This sentence uses máy bay to describe the movement of an airplane's nose.Tatoeba #11318295 by chaule3, translation #11318291 by chaule3
- Vé máy bay này tốn 727 đô la.The plane ticket costs 727 dollars.This sentence demonstrates the use of máy bay in the phrase 'plane ticket'.Tatoeba #13840913 by leucammieuvu, translation #13840137 by carlosalberto
- Tôi đến bằng máy bay.I came by plane.
- Tôi muốn mua vé máy bay.I want to buy a plane ticket.
- Máy bay hạ cánh an toàn.The plane landed safely.
- Anh ấy đang lái phi cơ.He is piloting a plane.
- Nhìn! Chiếc phi cơ đang bay thật cao.Look! The plane is flying really high.
- 22 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Lan are at the airport waiting for their flight.
- MinhMáy bay của chúng ta sắp hạ cánh rồi.Our plane is about to land.
- LanTôi không thấy máy bay ở đâu cả.I don't see the plane anywhere.
- MinhNhìn kìa, máy bay đang bay tới đó!Look, the plane is flying over there!
- LanĐúng rồi, cuối cùng nó cũng đến.You're right, it finally arrived.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “plane” translations and entries máy bay, tàu bay, phi cơ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bay, máy, máy bay, phi, phi cơ, tàu, tàu bay, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
