giấy vệ sinh
[zəj˧˦ ve˧˨ʔ sïŋ˧˧]
Toilet paper in Vietnamese is giấy vệ sinh. Wiktionary also lists giấy đi cầu.
Meaning: paper to clean oneself after defecation or urination (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| giấy vệ sinh | [zəj˧˦ ve˧˨ʔ sïŋ˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [jəj˨˩˦ vej˨˩ʔ ʂɨn˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| giấy đi cầu | [zəj˧˦ ʔɗi˧˧ kəw˨˩] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
The term giấy vệ sinh is the standard and polite way to refer to paper used for personal hygiene after using the restroom. It is the term you will find in shops, advertisements and general conversation.
What does it mean word for word?
giấy vệ sinh is composed of giấy, meaning paper and vệ sinh, meaning hygiene or sanitation.
Which one should you use?
While giấy vệ sinh is the standard term, giấy đi cầu is a more blunt and informal way to refer to the same thing, literally translating to 'paper for defecating'.
Did you know?
- The term giấy đi cầu shares a conceptual origin with the Malay word for latrine, jamban, which comes from jambatan meaning 'bridge'. Both languages independently named their toilets after the bridge-like wooden structures built over water.
- While giấy vệ sinh is the polite term, using only giấy in a shop is too vague and might just result in you being offered general 'paper'.
Examples in context
- Chúng ta hết giấy vệ sinh rồi.We're out of toilet paper.This sentence shows how to say you have run out of giấy vệ sinh.Tatoeba #13472168 by leucammieuvu, translation #7009025 by CK
- Đây không phải là giấy vệ sinh.This is not toilet paper.This sentence is useful for clarifying that an object is not giấy vệ sinh.Tatoeba #561434 by autuno, translation #7799997 by sharris123
- Tôi có thể lấy giấy vệ sinh ở đâu?Where can I get toilet paper?This sentence helps you ask where to find giấy vệ sinh.Tatoeba #8833144 by dotheduyet1999, translation #8612878 by shekitten
- Bạn có giấy vệ sinh không?Do you have any toilet paper?
- Cho tôi giấy vệ sinh được không?Can you give me toilet paper?
- Chắc chắn, đây là giấy vệ sinh cho bạn.Sure, here's the toilet paper for you.
Example conversation
Hùng and Chi are shopping at a supermarket.
- HùngChi ơi, mình có cần mua giấy vệ sinh không?Chi, do we need to buy toilet paper?
- ChiCó, nhà mình cũng sắp hết rồi.Yes, we are almost out at home.
- HùngĐể tôi đi lấy một gói nhé.Let me go get a pack.
- ChiCảm ơn anh, lấy loại gói lớn nhé.Thank you, get the large pack.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toilet paper” translations and entries giấy vệ sinh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (giấy, đi, cầu) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cầu, giấy, giấy vệ sinh, sinh, vệ, đi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
