thoa
[tʰwaː˧˧]
The English phrase rub can be translated into Vietnamese as thoa or xoa.
Meaning: to move one object while maintaining contact with another object over some area (verb)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| thoa | [tʰwaː˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰwaː˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| xoa | [swaː˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [swaː˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
To rub is to move one object while maintaining contact with another object over some area.
Which one should you use?
The choice between these words depends on whether you are focusing on the substance being applied or the physical motion. Use thoa when the action involves spreading a thin layer of a substance, such as lotion or cream, onto a surface. In contrast, xoa focuses on the physical motion of rubbing (like a massage).
Did you know?
- The word xoa is actually a linguistic souvenir from the French word 'soie', which means 'silk'.
- In Vietnamese culture, the act of rubbing or massaging the stomach xoa bụng is a common traditional remedy for treating indigestion or colic in infants.
- While xoa describes the physical motion, the phrase xoa dịu is used metaphorically to mean 'to soothe' or 'to appease' someone's anger or pain.
Examples in context
- Anh có thể xoa lưng cho em được không?Can you give me a back rub?
- Xoa tayRub hands
- Cô ấy thoa kem lên tay.She rubs cream onto her hands.
- Đừng thoa quá nhiều dầu lên da.Don't rub too much oil on your skin.
- Tôi đang thoa thuốc lên vết thương.I am rubbing medicine on the wound.
Example conversation
Mai is helping Tuấn with a skin burn.
- TuấnTay tôi bị bỏng nhẹ rồi.My hand has a slight burn.
- MaiĐể tôi thoa thuốc cho anh.Let me rub some medicine on it for you.
- TuấnCảm ơn Mai nhiều nhé.Thank you very much, Mai.
- MaiKhông có gì đâu, Tuấn.It is nothing, Tuấn.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “rub” translations and entries thoa, xoa, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries thoa, xoa, CC BY-SA 4.0.
