đồ chơi
[ʔɗo˨˩ t͡ɕəːj˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for "toy" is đồ chơi.
đồ chơi is a noun used to refer to something to play with.
Meaning: something to play with (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of đồ (thing/item/object) and chơi (to play).
How does it change in a sentence?
The classifier món is often used before đồ chơi when referring to a specific toy or a single item of play. To express the plural "toys", you can add the word những before đồ chơi.
Did you know?
- The term đồ chơi is sometimes used colloquially to refer to luxury items, such as expensive cars or gadgets, that a wealthy person buys for pleasure.
- The word chơi can be used in the phrase chơi vơi, which describes a feeling of loneliness or being adrift, far removed from the literal meaning of playing.
- While đồ chơi means 'toys', the word đồ can also mean 'diagram' or 'map' if it is written using the Sino-Vietnamese character 圖.
Examples in context
- Món đồ chơi đã hết pin rồi.The toy ran out of batteries.This example shows how to use đồ chơi when discussing a toy that has run out of batteries.Tatoeba #14028909 by nhuttan2004, translation #9331357 by megamanenm
- Em thích những đồ chơi mới nhất.I like the latest toys.
- Đứa bé đang chơi với đồ chơi mới.The baby is playing with a new toy.
- Tôi muốn mua một món đồ chơi cho cháu.I want to buy a toy for my niece.
Example conversation
Nam and Huong are in a toy store.
- NamEm có thích món đồ chơi này không?Do you like this toy?
- HươngDạ thích, nó rất dễ thương!Yes, I do, it is very cute!
- NamVậy anh sẽ mua nó cho em.Then I will buy it for you.
- HươngEm cảm ơn anh rất nhiều!Thank you so much!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “toy” translations and entries đồ chơi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chơi, đồ, đồ chơi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
