cảm ơn
[kaːm˧˩ ʔəːn˧˧]
To say thank in Vietnamese, use cảm ơn.
Cảm ơn is the standard and most common way to say 'thank you' in Vietnamese.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cảm ơn is composed of cảm, meaning to feel or to sense and ơn, meaning favor, grace or a debt of gratitude.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
While cảm ơn is the standard way to express gratitude, you can make it more formal and polite by adding xin to the beginning, resulting in xin cảm ơn. This is often used in formal writing or speeches. In casual conversations, many Vietnamese people also use the English word 'thanks'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In northern Vietnam, you may encounter the variation Cám mơn.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express 'thank you very much', you can add rất nhiều (meaning very much) to the end of the phrase to say cảm ơn rất nhiều.
When do people say it?
The most common response to cảm ơn is không có gì, which literally means 'it is nothing'.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the word ơn refers to a debt of gratitude, implying that a favor creates a social bond that should be acknowledged.
- The phrase cảm ơn was actually a latecomer to the language, only appearing in dictionaries in the 1960s, whereas the older version cám ơn has been recorded since the 17th century.
- Although cảm ơn is the official standard form in modern dictionaries, you will still hear many people say cám ơn in everyday speech, especially in the South and among Overseas Vietnamese.
Examples in context
- Cảm ơn quý vị rất nhiều vì món quà ý nghĩa này.Thank you very much for this meaningful gift.
- Cám ơn các bạn đã mời tôi đi ăn bữa này.Thanks for inviting me to this meal.
- Con cảm ơn mẹ.I thank you, mother.
- Em cảm ơn anh rất nhiều.I thank you very much.
- Cảm ơn bạn vì món quà.Thank you for the gift.
Example conversation
Lan gives Nam a book that he wanted to read.
- LanNam ơi, tặng bạn cuốn sách này.Nam, here is this book for you.
- NamÔi, mình cảm ơn Lan nhé.Oh, I thank you, Lan.
- LanKhông có gì đâu.You are welcome.
- NamMình sẽ đọc nó ngay.I will read it immediately.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry cảm ơn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cảm, cảm ơn, ơn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
