áo sơ mi
The Vietnamese word for shirt is áo sơ mi. Wiktionary also lists sơ mi.
Meaning: article of clothing (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| áo sơ mi | |
| sơ mi | [səː˧˧ mi˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʂəː˧˧ mɪj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The term refers to an article of clothing. The word áo can refer to shirts in general, and when you want to specify a black shirt, you say áo đen.
Which one should you use?
While áo sơ mi refers specifically to button-down shirts, áo phông is the term used for T-shirts.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
In casual conversation, the word áo is often dropped and people simply refer to the item as sơ mi.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Hanoi, the term áo phông is used to specifically describe a T-shirt.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting shirts, you should use the classifier chiếc or cái before the noun phrase, such as in chiếc áo sơ mi. Additionally, the classifier cái is often used before áo when referring to a shirt.
Did you know?
- The term sơ mi is actually a phonetic loanword from the French word chemise, which means 'shirt'.
- While áo is the general word for 'shirt', it is also the root for the traditional áo dài national dress.
Examples in context
- Anh ấy ủi áo sơ mi của mình mỗi sáng.He irons his shirt every morning.This sentence shows how to use the form áo sơ mi regarding ironing.Tatoeba #11353584 by chaule3, translation #11353576 by chaule3
- Tôi muốn mua một chiếc quần tây dài và một áo sơ mi mới.I want to buy a new pair of trousers and a shirt.This sentence demonstrates using áo sơ mi when shopping for new clothes.Tatoeba #11276647 by chaule3, translation #11276644 by chaule3
- quần tây, áo sơ miSuit pants, dress shirtThis sentence shows the use of sơ mi in a list of clothing items.
- Bạn có thể cho tôi cái áo không?Can you pass me the shirt?
- Tôi cần mua một cái áo mới.I need to buy a new shirt.
- Tôi rất thích cái áo mà bạn đang mặc!I really like that shirt you're wearing!
- Bạn đã mua cái áo này ở đâu vậy?Where did you buy this shirt?
- Mình có thể mua áo phông ở đâu vậy?Where can I buy a T-shirt?
- Tôi cần mua một cái áo ba lỗ mới.I need to buy a new sleeveless shirt.
- một cái áoOne shirt
- Cái áo này bao nhiêu tiền?How much is this shirt?
- Bạn có cái áo này size khác không?Do you have this shirt in a different size?
Example conversation
Minh is preparing for a job interview at a clothing store.
- MinhChi ơi, chiếc áo sơ mi này có đẹp không?Chi, is this shirt beautiful?
- ChiNó rất hợp với anh đấy, Minh.It suits you very well, Minh.
- MinhTôi nên mặc áo sơ mi trắng hay xanh?Should I wear a white or blue shirt?
- ChiEm nghĩ màu trắng sẽ chuyên nghiệp hơn.I think white will look more professional.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “shirt” translations and entries sơ mi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries mi, sơ, sơ mi, áo, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR, Wiktionary CC BY-SA 4.0.
