gầy
[ɣəj˨˩]
In Vietnamese, skinny is translated as gầy. Wiktionary also lists ốm and ròm.
Meaning: thin (adj)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| gầy | [ɣəj˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ɣəj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| ốm | [ʔom˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔom˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| ròm | [zɔm˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʐɔm˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| còm | [kɔm˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kɔm˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
The word is used to describe a person who is thin. You may also encounter the reduplicated form gầy gò, which is frequently used to emphasize a skinny appearance, often in a descriptive or slightly sympathetic way.
Which one should you use?
While gầy is the standard, neutral term for being thin or skinny, other forms carry different nuances. ốm often implies that the person is thin because they are sickly or underweight. ròm is a more colloquial and slightly more blunt way to describe someone who is very skinny. Finally, còm describes someone who is not just skinny, but looks weak, frail or stunted.
Did you know?
- The word 'còm' is an oddity in the language because it may be a corruption of the English word 'comment' or a derivation from the French word 'commission'.
- In Northern Vietnam, ốm is commonly used for 'sick', while in Southern Vietnam, 'sick' is typically bệnh.
Examples in context
- Cô ấy có vóc dáng ốm nhưng rất đẹp.She has a slim figure but is very beautiful.
- Người này có cơ thể thon gọn và ốm đẹp.This person has a slender and skinny figure.
- Anh ấy trông hơi gầy.He looks a bit skinny.
- Dạo này em gầy quá.You've become so skinny lately.
- Đừng để gầy quá nhé.Don't get too skinny, okay?
Example conversation
Two friends are chatting at a coffee shop.
- NamLan ơi, dạo này em gầy thế?Lan, you've gotten so skinny lately?
- LanVâng, em đang giảm cân ạ.Yes, I am losing weight.
- NamĐừng để gầy quá, phải ăn nhiều vào.Don't get too skinny, you must eat more.
- LanEm cảm ơn anh Nam.Thank you, Nam.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “skinny” translations and entries gầy, ốm, ròm, còm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries còm, gầy, ốm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
