thành công
[tʰajŋ̟˨˩ kəwŋ͡m˧˧]
To succeed in Vietnamese is to say thành công.
thành công is used to express obtaining a desired object, accomplishing an intention or having a prosperous outcome. When you want to express succeeding in a specific field or activity, you typically use the phrase thành công trong.
Meaning: to obtain the object desired, to accomplish what is attempted or intended, to have a prosperous issue or termination, to be successful (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of thành (to become or to complete) and công (achievement, merit or success), literally meaning to become successful.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can modify this phrase to change its grammatical function. To describe a person as being successful, place người (person) before the phrase to get người thành công.
Did you know?
- The word công used in the context of success is historically related to terms for 'wifely competence' in ancient Chinese loanwords.
- While thành công is the standard term, Vietnamese speakers often use the phrase được to simply say something 'worked' or was 'successful' in casual speech.
- Because thành công is a Sino-Vietnamese compound, it sounds more formal and academic than many native Vietnamese words used for everyday achievement.
Examples in context
- Bạn có thể thành công trong cuộc sống.You can succeed in your life.This sentence shows how to express the possibility of succeeding in life using thành công.Tatoeba #13841086 by leucammieuvu, translation #69180 by Lumi_alt
- Bạn phải làm việc chăm chỉ để thành công.You must work hard to succeed.This sentence uses thành công to describe the necessity of hard work to achieve success.Tatoeba #8997686 by dotheduyet1999, translation #1637208 by Spamster
- Tôi hi vọng cuối cùng chúng ta sẽ thành công.I hope we'll succeed eventually.This sentence uses thành công to express a hope for eventual success.Tatoeba #13667980 by leucammieuvu, translation #13667446 by Nuel
- Chúng ta đều muốn thành công trong công việc của mình.We all want to succeed in our work.
- Anh ấy đã thành công trong việc xây dựng một công ty lớn.He succeeded in building a large company.
- Cố gắng đi, bạn sẽ thắng lợi!Keep going, you will succeed!
- Bước tiến nhỏ cũng là thành tựu.Even small steps are achievements.
- Chúc bạn thành công!Wishing you success!
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are discussing a business project.
- Hùng HungLan, dự án này chắc chắn sẽ thành công.Lan, this project will definitely succeed.
- LanTôi cũng hy vọng như vậy, Hùng ạ.I hope so too, Hung.
- Hùng HungChúng ta đã chuẩn bị mọi thứ rất kỹ.We have prepared everything very carefully.
- LanĐúng vậy, chúng ta sẽ thành công thôi.That's right, we will succeed.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “succeed” translations and entries thành công, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries công, thành, thành công, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
