giàu
[zaw˨˩]
In Vietnamese, the English phrase rich is expressed as giàu.
The word giàu is used to describe someone or something having wealth. Beyond monetary abundance, it can be used metaphorically to mean being rich in a specific quality, such as in the phrase giàu kinh nghiệm, which means rich in experience or experienced.
Meaning: having wealth (adj)
Which one should you use?
While giàu is the standard adjective for rich, it often sounds more natural in a sentence when used in compound words or paired with intensifiers.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective giàu does not change its form to indicate degree. To express that someone is very or too rich, you must add words like rất (very) or quá (too) before it.
Did you know?
- To describe someone who is 'new money' or suddenly rich, Vietnamese speakers often use the phrase giàu xổi, implying the wealth was acquired quickly and perhaps unstable.
- In traditional Vietnamese folk idioms, being giàu is sometimes contrasted with being có đức, implying that being rich is less virtuous than having moral character.
- The word giàu appears in the 1651 Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum as giầu, showing how early European missionaries documented the language.
Examples in context
- Tom trở nên giàu có.Tom got rich.This sentence uses giàu to show someone becoming rich.Tatoeba #13340720 by leucammieuvu, translation #6665102 by CK
- Chắc hẳn bạn rất giàu.You must be pretty rich.This sentence uses giàu to express an assumption that someone is rich.Tatoeba #8988989 by dotheduyet1999, translation #3178381 by CK
- Đừng nghĩ là tôi giàu.Don't think I'm rich.This sentence uses giàu to clarify that the speaker is not rich.Tatoeba #13480475 by leucammieuvu, translation #13479604 by CK
- Ông ta sống cuộc sống giàu có.He lives a rich life.
- Hôm nay mua gì cũng được, thực sự có tiền như rác rồi.Today, I can buy anything. I'm really rich now.
- 35 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are talking about a successful businessman.
- NamÔng ấy là một người rất giàu.He is a very rich person.
- ChiTôi biết, ông ấy có nhiều nhà.I know, he has many houses.
- NamƯớc gì tôi cũng giàu như ông ấy.I wish I were as rich as he is.
- ChiHãy chăm chỉ làm việc đi, Nam.Just work hard, Nam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rich” translations and entries giàu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries giàu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
