sấm
[səm˧˦]
The Vietnamese word for thunder is sấm.
sấm is a noun used to describe the deep, rumbling noise heard during a storm.
Meaning: deep, rumbling noise (noun)
Which one should you use?
While sấm specifically means thunder, it is very common to use the compound sấm sét when referring to the combined phenomenon of thunder and lightning. If you want to refer specifically to the sound of the thunder itself, you can use the phrase tiếng sấm, where tiếng means sound or voice.
Did you know?
- The word sấm is a homograph that can also mean a 'prophecy' or 'secret message' in a different context. This comes from the Sino-Vietnamese root 讖, which refers to words or signs that foretell the future.
- In traditional Vietnamese folklore, sấm is often associated with the divine will of the heavens, where thunder serves as a warning or a sign of cosmic imbalance.
- The sound of 'thunder' in Vietnamese, sấm, is phonetically quite short, which contrasts with the long, drawn-out 'rumbling' sound the word actually describes.
Examples in context
- Hôm qua trời mưa nhưng không có sấm sét.It rained yesterday, but there was no thunder.This sentence is useful for noting the absence of sấm during rainfall.Tatoeba #13740761 by leucammieuvu, translation #13738654 by rul
- Sấm chớp là dấu hiệu cho thấy rằng một cơn bão sắp tới.Thunder indicates that a storm is near.This sentence shows how sấm can serve as an indicator of an approaching storm.Tatoeba #9441254 by dotheduyet1999, translation #325164 by CM
- Tôi mới chỉ đi bộ được khoảng một dặm thì trời bắt đầu có sấm sét.I had hardly walked a mile when it began to thunder.This sentence illustrates the sudden onset of sấm while walking.Tatoeba #8976457 by dotheduyet1999, translation #73203 by CC
- Khi sấm kèm theo chớp, chúng ta biết rằng bão đang tới.When thunder accompanies lightning, we know that a storm is approaching.
- Trời đen và sét loé sáng khắp bầu trời khi sấm chớp vang lên.The sky turns dark, and lightning flashes across the sky as thunder echoes.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are sitting in a cafe during a storm.
- NamBạn có nghe thấy tiếng sấm không?Do you hear the thunder?
- ChiCó, tiếng sấm rất lớn.Yes, the thunder is very loud.
- NamTôi nghĩ trời sắp mưa to rồi.I think it is about to rain heavily.
- ChiNam ơi, chúng ta nên đi về thôi.Nam, we should head home now.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sấm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sấm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
