Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| cảm ơn | [kaːm˧˩ ʔəːn˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kaːm˧˨ ʔəːŋ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| cám ơn | [kaːm˧˦ ʔəːn˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kaːm˦˧˥ ʔəːŋ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The phrase is an expression of gratitude. You can add the word rất (meaning "very") before the phrase for emphasis, or place rất nhiều at the end of the sentence to say "thank you very much". Among the younger generation, the English word "thanks" is also used in modern Vietnamese. For a very polite and formal expression of thanks, especially toward people of higher status, you can use Xin cảm ơn.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cảm ơn is composed of cảm (to feel or emotion) and ơn (favor or grace).
Which one should you use?
The forms cảm ơn and cám ơn are interchangeable variations of the same phrase.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Using cảm ơn alone can sometimes sound abrupt. In formal settings, it is preferred to add a subject or a polite particle. For even higher levels of formality and politeness, use Xin cảm ơn.
How does it change in a sentence?
To sound natural and polite, it is much more common to include a personal pronoun after cảm ơn to indicate whom you are thanking. For example, cảm ơn bạn is a common way to say thank you to a peer or someone of similar age or status. To say "thank you very much", you can follow the pattern: cảm ơn + [pronoun] + rất nhiều.
Did you know?
- The word cám also has an entirely different meaning in Vietnamese, referring to 'bran' or 'husk'.
Examples in context
- Tom đã nói cảm ơn.Tom said thank you.This sentence shows the use of the form cảm ơn.Tatoeba #10261124 by hothuyhien, translation #9162326 by CK
- Cảm ơn bạn rất nhiều.Thank you very much.This sentence demonstrates how to say "thank you very much" using cảm ơn.Tatoeba #13522885 by leucammieuvu, translation #1839560 by CK
- Cám ơn bạn nhiều nghe!Thank you very much!This sentence demonstrates a variation using the form cám ơn.Tatoeba #5768 by trieuho, translation #1564 by adjusting
- Xin cảm ơn ông/bà!Thank you, sir/madam!
- Cảm ơn bạn!Thanks!
- 27 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh gives Chi a book.
- ChiCảm ơn Minh nhiều nhé.Thank you so much, Minh.
- MinhKhông có gì đâu Chi.It's nothing, Chi.
- ChiCuốn sách này rất hay.This book is very interesting.
- MinhMình vui vì bạn thích nó.I'm glad you like it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “thank you” translations and entries cảm ơn, cám ơn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cám, cám ơn, cảm, cảm ơn, ơn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
