Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| kí | [ki˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kɪj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| kí tên | [ki˧˦ ten˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kɪj˨˩˦ ten˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The primary meaning is to write one's signature on a document. While kí is the core verb, you may also see the compound ký kết used specifically when referring to the formal signing or concluding of a treaty, contract or agreement.
What does it mean word for word?
The compound kí tên is composed of kí, meaning 'to sign' and tên, meaning 'name'.
Which one should you use?
kí is the basic verb for 'to sign', but kí tên is more commonly used in both spoken and written Vietnamese to specifically describe the act of signing one's name. For formal legal contexts like signing a contract, use the specialized term ký kết.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The spelling ký is an alternative form of kí that is frequently used in modern Vietnamese, especially in formal or standardized contexts.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the placement of a personal seal or stamp often carries as much or more legal weight than the handwritten kí tên.
- The word kí is a linguistic chameleon that can mean 'to sign' or, in a completely different context, serve as a shortened form for 'kilogram' or 'kilowatt'.
- The word kí is a Sino-Vietnamese word derived from a Chinese character meaning 'to record'. It has a non-Sino-Vietnamese doublet in the word ghi, which also means 'to record' or 'to write down'.
Examples in context
- Bạn cần kí vào đây.You need to sign here.
- Tôi quên chưa kí hợp đồng.I forgot to sign the contract.
- Hãy kí tên vào tờ giấy này.Please sign this piece of paper.
Example conversation
Minh is asking Mai to complete some paperwork at the office.
- MinhMai ơi, bạn kí vào đơn này giúp tôi nhé.Mai, please sign this application for me.
- MaiĐược chứ, tôi phải kí ở đâu?Sure, where do I need to sign?
- MinhBạn kí ngay bên dưới dòng này.Sign right below this line.
- MaiTôi kí xong rồi đây.I have finished signing it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sign” translations and entries kí, kí tên, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries kí, kí tên, tên, CC BY-SA 4.0.
