khăn
[xan˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for towel is khăn.
The word khăn is a broad term that can refer to a towel, a scarf or any type of cloth used for wiping or wrapping.
Meaning: cloth used for wiping (noun)
Which one should you use?
While khăn is the general term, you can use specific combinations to clarify the type of cloth: khăn mặt is used specifically for a small towel used for the face, khăn tắm is used specifically for a large towel used for bathing and khăn giấy refers to paper towels or facial tissues.
Did you know?
- While khăn can mean towel, the traditional Vietnamese headscarf, khăn mỏ quạ, is shaped like a crow's beak and was historically a symbol of modesty and grace for women in Northern Vietnam.
- In a traditional Vietnamese wedding, the khăn đóng is the stiff, circular headgear worn by men with the formal áo dài tunic.
- The word khăn is a linguistic 'cousin' to the Chinese character 巾, which also means a piece of cloth. Although the Vietnamese pronunciation sounds quite different from the Chinese 'jīn', they share the same ancient root.
Examples in context
- Dùng khăn lau khô mặt đi.Dry your face with a towel.This sentence shows how to use khăn to dry one's face.Tatoeba #9004440 by dotheduyet1999, translation #41093 by CK
- Bạn đang lau tay bằng khăn.You're wiping your hands with a towel.This sentence demonstrates the use of khăn when wiping hands.Tatoeba #13896428 by leucammieuvu, translation #13895401 by frpzzd
- Tom lau người bằng khăn tắm.Tom dried himself with a bath towel.This sentence illustrates the use of khăn in the context of a bath towel.Tatoeba #8992801 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2698596 by WestofEden
- Cho tôi cái khăn với, được không?Pass me the towel, please.
- Bạn có thêm khăn nào không?Do you have any extra towels?
- Bạn có thể chỉ tôi chỗ để khăn không?Could you show me where the towels are?
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam is getting ready for the gym and asks Mai for a towel.
- NamMai ơi, cho mình mượn cái khăn với.Mai, let me borrow a towel.
- MaiCủa Nam đây, khăn này mới giặt xong.Here you go, Nam, this towel was just washed.
- NamCảm ơn Mai nhé.Thanks, Mai.
- MaiKhông có gì đâu.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “towel” translations and entries khăn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries khăn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
