Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| nhà hàng | [ɲaː˨˩ haːŋ˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ɲaː˦˩ haːŋ˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| quán ăn | [kwaːn˧˦ ʔan˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kwaːŋ˦˧˥ ʔaŋ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| tiệm ăn | [tiəm˧˨ʔ ʔan˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tiəm˨˩ʔ ʔaŋ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| quán | [kwaːn˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kwaːŋ˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| hàng | [haːŋ˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [haːŋ˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
informal |
The term 'restaurant' refers to an eating establishment where diners are served food. Depending on the scale, formality and setting of the establishment, several different Vietnamese terms are used.
What does it mean word for word?
The term nhà hàng is composed of nhà, meaning house or building and hàng, meaning goods, merchandise or shop. Literally, it translates to a building for goods or trade.
Which one should you use?
Nhà hàng typically refers to more formal, upscale or larger-scale dining establishments. In contrast, quán ăn is used for smaller, more casual or street-side food establishments like local eateries or food stalls. Tiệm ăn is a way to refer to a small food shop or eatery that feels slightly more traditional or old-fashioned. In casual conversation, the word is often shortened to just quán to refer to a place to eat, such as a specific shop or stall.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Nhà hàng is the standard formal term. Quán ăn and tiệm ăn are used for informal, smaller or more casual dining settings. The shortened form quán is used colloquially in daily conversations. The term hàng is also considered informal.
Did you know?
- The word hàng in nhà hàng is a cognate with the Thai word ห้าง and the Khmer word ហាង, both of which also refer to shops or establishments.
- While nhà hàng means 'restaurant', the word nhà (house) is used in Vietnamese as a prefix for professionals, such as in nhà khoa học for 'scientist'.
Examples in context
- Nhà hàng hết chỗ rồi.The restaurant is full.This sentence uses nhà hàng to show that a restaurant is at full capacity.Tatoeba #6275293 by moriole, translation #2515299 by Hybrid
- Nhà hàng đó ở tầng 1.The restaurant is on the ground floor.This sentence uses nhà hàng to specify the location of the restaurant.Tatoeba #9022304 by dotheduyet1999, translation #462900 by lukaszpp
- Nhà hàng buffet ở đâu?Where is the buffet restaurant?This sentence uses nhà hàng to ask for the location of a buffet restaurant.Tatoeba #13587329 by leucammieuvu, translation #13587132 by LeviHighway
- Tôi muốn đi đến một nhà hàng tốt ở đây.I want to go to a good restaurant here.
- Bạn có thể gợi ý một quán ăn ngon không?Can you recommend a good restaurant?
- Hôm qua tôi đã ăn cơm ở một quán gần đây.Yesterday, I had rice at a nearby restaurant.
- 31 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lan and Tuấn are deciding where to have dinner.
- LanTuấn ơi, tối nay ăn ở nhà hàng nào?Tuấn, which restaurant are we eating at tonight?
- TuấnAnh muốn thử nhà hàng mới mở.I want to try the newly opened restaurant.
- LanNhà hàng đó có ngon không anh?Is that restaurant delicious, dear?
- TuấnNghe nói đồ ăn ở đó rất tuyệt.I heard the food there is great.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “restaurant” translations and entries nhà hàng, quán ăn, tiệm ăn, quán, hàng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hàng, nhà, nhà hàng, quán, quán ăn, tiệm, tiệm ăn, ăn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
