chuột
[t͡ɕuət̚˧˨ʔ]
The English word "rat" is translated into Vietnamese as chuột.
In Vietnamese, the word chuột is a generic term used to refer to both rats and mice.
Meaning: rodent (noun)
Which one should you use?
While chuột is the general term, you can use more specific forms to distinguish between types of rodents. To specifically refer to a small mouse, use chuột nhắt. To specifically refer to a large sewer rat, use chuột cống.
How does it change in a sentence?
When you are referring to a specific rat, the classifier con is typically added before chuột, resulting in con chuột.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese anatomy, the word chuột is used to refer to the biceps muscle, mirroring how Latin used 'mūsculus' for 'little mouse'.
- In the Vietnamese zodiac, the chuột is the first animal of the twelve-year cycle, symbolizing intelligence and resourcefulness.
- The classifier con used before chuột is used for almost all animals, but it can also be used for inanimate objects that move on their own, like a spinning top.
Examples in context
- Con mèo đuổi con chuột.The cat ran after the rat.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the word chuột when describing an animal's actions.Tatoeba #3806607 by letuananh, translation #282039 by CK
- Phù thuỷ ném con chuột sống vào thuốc phép đang sôi.The witch threw a live rat into the boiling potion.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the word chuột in a descriptive context.Tatoeba #13945158 by leucammieuvu, translation #13944663 by mervert1
- Chúng tôi đã phát hiện một con chuột trong nhà hàng.We found a rat in the restaurant.
- Chúng ta không nên nuôi chuột sóc trong nhà.We should not keep squirrel rats in the house.
- Mấy đứa em đã làm hỏng bàn phím của tôi rồi, chúng nó như những con chuột nhắt chứ không phải con người!My younger siblings have ruined my keyboard, they act like little rats instead of humans!
- Có một con chuột chạy qua.There is a rat running by.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A man and a woman are in their kitchen.
- HươngTuấn ơi, em thấy một con chuột.Tuan, I saw a rat.
- TuấnNó có ở trong bếp không Hương?Is it in the kitchen, Huong?
- HươngVâng, con chuột vừa chạy dưới gầm bàn.Yes, the rat just ran under the table.
- TuấnĐể anh đi tìm cách đuổi nó.Let me go find a way to chase it away.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rat” translations and entries chuột, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chuột, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
