sự tôn trọng
The English word "respect" is translated into Vietnamese as sự tôn trọng.
The noun sự tôn trọng refers to the admiration for a person or entity because of perceived merit. You can also use the related verb form tôn trọng to mean "to have respect for".
Meaning: admiration for a person or entity because of perceived merit (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb tôn trọng is composed of tôn (to exalt/honor) and trọng (to heavy/important/weighty).
Which one should you use?
While tôn trọng is a general term for respect, kính trọng is used specifically for showing deep respect or reverence toward elders, teachers or superiors.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tôn trọng is used as a transitive verb and does not require a preposition like "for" to connect to an object.
When do people say it?
To express respect in conversation, you might use the respectful way to address men as ông (sir) or women as bà (madam). You can also use the polite language marker xin vui lòng to mean "please".
Did you know?
- The word tôn is a homonym in Vietnamese, meaning it can refer to honor, lineage or even 'sheet metal' via a loanword from the French tôle.
- In Vietnamese culture, showing sự tôn trọng often involves physical gestures like bowing the head slightly or using two hands when giving or receiving an object.
Examples in context
- Tôi muốn sự tôn trọng của bạn.I want your respect.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire for sự tôn trọng.Tatoeba #9027941 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2011506 by CK
- Tôi mãi mãi kính trọng người cha của mình.I will always respect my father.
- Chúng tôi tôn trọng quyết định của cô giáo.We respect the teacher's decision.
- Chúng ta cần có sự tôn trọng lẫn nhau.We need to have mutual respect.
- Anh ấy luôn nhận được sự tôn trọng từ mọi người.He always receives respect from everyone.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hương and Hùng are discussing their professional relationship at work.
- HươngEm nghĩ chúng ta cần sự tôn trọng trong công việc.I think we need respect in our work.
- HùngAnh đồng ý, sự tôn trọng là rất quan trọng.I agree, respect is very important.
- HươngAnh sẽ luôn dành sự tôn trọng cho ý kiến của em.I will always show respect for your opinions.
- HùngCảm ơn em, điều đó rất có ý nghĩa.Thank you, that means a lot.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “respect” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sự, trọng, tôn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
