cầu nguyện
[kəw˨˩ ŋwiən˧˨ʔ]
In Vietnamese, the phrase for "pray" is cầu nguyện. If unsure, use cầu nguyện. Wiktionary also lists cầu.
Meaning: to talk to God (verb)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| cầu nguyện | [kəw˨˩ ŋwiən˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kəw˦˩ ŋwiəŋ˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| cầu | [kəw˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kəw˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
cầu nguyện is a general term used across various religions, such as Christianity and Buddhism, to describe the act of communicating with a higher power or a deity.
What does it mean word for word?
The term cầu nguyện is a compound word where cầu means to request or seek and nguyện means to vow or wish.
Which one should you use?
While cầu nguyện is the full verb for the act of praying, the shortened form cầu is often used in specific religious contexts or when the word is followed by an object, such as in the phrase cầu may (to pray for luck).
Did you know?
- In some historical contexts, the word cầu can actually refer to a 'latrine' because of the way old wooden outhouses were constructed over water like small bridges.
- Because of the influence of Mahayana Buddhism and Ancestor Worship, cầu nguyện is frequently used to address ancestors, not just a single God.
- The Vietnamese language distinguishes between the general act of praying cầu nguyện and more ritualistic chanting or reciting, which uses different terminology.
Examples in context
- Chúng ta hãy cầu nguyện!Let's pray!This sentence is useful for practicing the use of cầu in an exhortation.Tatoeba #14034950 by nhuttan2004, translation #13985493 by menaud
- Chúng tôi đã quỳ xuống cầu nguyện.We knelt down to pray.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of cầu when describing a physical action.Tatoeba #9011046 by dotheduyet1999, translation #304885 by CK
- Chúng tôi đều quỳ xuống cầu nguyện.We all knelt down to pray.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of cầu in a descriptive context.Tatoeba #1541851 by Aomori, translation #22845 by CK
- Trong những thời khắc khó khăn, nhiều người tìm đến tôn giáo để cầu nguyện xin sự chỉ dẫn và sức mạnh.In times of hardship, many people turn to religion to pray for guidance and strength.
- Trước mỗi bữa ăn, việc cầu nguyện xin phước và bày tỏ lòng biết ơn là điều phổ biến trong gia đình người Việt.Before every meal, it is common for Vietnamese families to pray for blessings and express gratitude.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are talking about their morning routines.
- NamChi thường làm gì vào buổi sáng?What do you usually do in the morning, Chi?
- ChiTôi thường cầu nguyện trước khi ăn sáng.I usually pray before eating breakfast.
- NamNam cũng cầu nguyện mỗi ngày.Nam also prays every day.
- ChiĐiều đó thật là tốt.That is very good.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pray” translations and entries cầu nguyện, cầu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cầu, cầu nguyện, nguyện, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
