hổ
[ho˧˩]
The word for tiger in Vietnamese is hổ. Wiktionary also lists cọp and khái.
Meaning: The mammal Panthera tigris (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| hổ | [ho˧˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [how˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
| cọp | [kɔp̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kɔp̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| khái | [kʰaːj˩] (Vinh, narrow) [xaːj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) |
| kễnh | [kəjŋ̟˦ˀ˥] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ken˧˨] (Huế, narrow) |
| hùm | [hum˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [hum˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
The term refers to the mammal Panthera tigris.
Which one should you use?
hổ is the standard term used in most contexts. cọp is a common colloquial alternative, while hùm is a more literary or traditional term often found in older literature or folk stories.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In some northern regions, people may call a tiger cọp.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting or referring to a single tiger, the classifier con is used before the noun.
Did you know?
- The word hổ may have originally meant 'cobra' in an early form of the language.
Examples in context
- Đó không phải là một con hổ.This is not a tiger.This sentence is useful for practicing a negative identification with hổ.Tatoeba #9023425 by dotheduyet1999, translation #1739147 by CM
- nên không làm cái gì khi gặp hổWhat should you not do if you meet a tiger?This sentence is useful for discussing safety or actions when encountering a hổ.Tatoeba #13935384 by EchoWhitemore, translation #13909272 by frpzzd
- Nếu bạn gặp hổ hoặc gấu, đừng cố trèo lên cây. Cả hai loài này đều trèo cây rất giỏi.If you meet a tiger or a bear, don't try to escape into a tree. Both can climb trees perfectly well.This sentence is useful for seeing how hổ is used in a warning about climbing trees.Tatoeba #13909284 by leucammieuvu, translation #13909282 by frpzzd
- Nhìn kìa, con hổ trắng đang đi dạo trong vườn.Look there, the white tiger is walking in the garden.
- 5 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Tuấn are watching a nature documentary on TV.
- ChiCon hổ trong phim thật là lớn.The tiger in the movie is really big.
- TuấnĐúng vậy, nó trông rất mạnh mẽ.That's right, it looks very powerful.
- ChiAnh có biết loài hổ sống ở đâu không?Do you know where tigers live?
- TuấnChúng thường sống trong rừng sâu.They usually live in deep jungles.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tiger” translations and entries hổ, cọp, khái, kễnh, hùm, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hổ, khái, kễnh, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
