công chúa
[kəwŋ͡m˧˧ t͡ɕuə˧˦]
The English word "princess" is translated into Vietnamese as công chúa. Wiktionary also lists bà chúa.
Meaning: female member of royal family (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| công chúa | [kəwŋ͡m˧˧ t͡ɕuə˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kəwŋ͡m˧˧ t͡ɕuə˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| bà chúa | [ʔɓaː˨˩ t͡ɕuə˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓaː˦˩ t͡ɕuə˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
công chúa is the standard term used in modern contexts, such as fairy tales, news or historical discussions, to denote a princess.
Which one should you use?
While công chúa refers specifically to a royal princess, bà chúa is a more archaic or literary term that can refer to a female ruler, a lady of high status or a goddess in certain folk religions.
Did you know?
- In modern casual Vietnamese, calling a girl công chúa can be used ironically to describe someone who is spoiled or expects special treatment.
- In certain contexts, the syllable công is linked to the concept of 'work' or 'labor' through the Sino-Vietnamese character 工.
- The phrase bà chúa combines bà, a respectful term for an older woman or grandmother, with chúa, meaning lord.
Examples in context
- Chào buổi sáng, công chúa.Good morning, princess.This sentence shows how to use công chúa in a morning greeting.Tatoeba #13340669 by leucammieuvu, translation #7033278 by Hybrid
- Bạn có muốn trở thành một công chúa?Do you want to be a princess?This sentence uses công chúa in a question about a person's desires.Tatoeba #10274126 by Alex_do, translation #7131886 by CM
- Hoàng tử và công chúa đi vào phòng của họ.The prince and the princess went to their room.This sentence demonstrates how to use công chúa when describing the actions of royalty.Tatoeba #13965562 by leucammieuvu, translation #13964026 by Ioan_Cristian
- Bạn là công chúa của chúng tôiYou are our princess
- Xin chào, công chúa.Hello, princess.
Example conversation
Lan is telling Hùng about a story she is reading.
- HùngLan đang đọc truyện về ai vậy?Who is Lan reading a story about?
- LanMột nàng công chúa rất xinh đẹp.A very beautiful princess.
- HùngNàng công chúa đó có hạnh phúc không?Is that princess happy?
- LanCó, cô ấy rất hạnh phúc.Yes, she is very happy.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “princess” translations and entries công chúa, bà chúa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bà chúa, chúa, công, công chúa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
