chơi
[t͡ɕəːj˧˧]
The English verb 'play' is translated into Vietnamese as chơi.
The verb chơi means to act in a manner such that one has fun. In a colloquial social context, it can also mean to hang out or spend time with friends.
Meaning: act in a manner such that one has fun (verb)
Which one should you use?
While chơi is the verb 'to play', the term trò chơi is the noun used to refer to a specific game or play activity. For a literary composition intended to be represented, such as a theatrical play, use the noun vở kịch.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing the act of playing with someone, you use the preposition với after the verb, forming the phrase chơi với.
Did you know?
- The word chơi is used in the term chơi vơi, which describes a feeling of loneliness or being adrift and unsupported.
- In certain contexts, chơi is used as a modifier to mean 'just' or 'for fun', such as nói chơi, which means 'just kidding' or 'speaking jokingly'.
- The word chơi can be used to mean 'to experience' or 'to try out' a luxury item or place, such as chơi a high-end resort.
Examples in context
- Chơi với tớ đi.Play with me.This sentence shows how to use chơi to ask someone to play with you.Tatoeba #13599292 by leucammieuvu, translation #6137478 by OsoHombre
- Hãy chơi nhiều hơn.Play more.This sentence uses chơi to encourage playing more.Tatoeba #13510895 by leucammieuvu, translation #13510873 by leucammieuvu
- Tôi muốn chơi cờ đam.I want to play checkers.This sentence demonstrates using chơi with a specific game.Tatoeba #8956041 by dotheduyet1999, translation #8045299 by CK
- Tôi muốn chơi môn thể thao này.I want to play this sport.
- Bạn có thích trò chơi điện tử không?Do you like video games?
- Đi chơi với bạn bè không?Do you want to hang out with friends?
- 89 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are deciding what to do in the afternoon.
- HùngChiều nay chúng ta chơi gì nhỉ?What shall we play this afternoon?
- LanLan muốn chơi trốn tìm.Lan wants to play hide and seek.
- HùngĐược, Hùng sẽ đi tìm.Okay, Hung will go looking.
- LanLan sẽ đi trốn ngay!Lan will go hide right now!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “play” translations and entries chơi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
