rác
[zaːk̚˧˦]
The English word "trash" is translated into Vietnamese as rác.
rác refers to things that are meant to be discarded. In a metaphorical or derogatory sense, such as describing a person or a poor economy, Vietnamese speakers often use the phrase giẻ rách (meaning torn rags) instead of the literal word for garbage.
Meaning: things to be discarded (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term for a trash can, thùng rác, is a compound word consisting of thùng, which means barrel or container and rác, meaning trash.
How does it change in a sentence?
To say "to take out the trash", use the verb phrase đổ rác, which literally translates to "to pour/dump trash".
Did you know?
- In Vietnam, the act of taking out the trash đổ rác is often a communal activity timed with the arrival of specific waste collection carts that announce their presence with a loud bell or horn.
- The term rác is used in the phrase rác rưởi to describe something completely worthless or contemptible, intensifying the negative connotation beyond just physical waste.
- While rác is the general term, the word phế liệu is used specifically for 'scrap' or 'waste materials' that can be recycled or sold for money.
Examples in context
- Cho rác vào thùng rác đi.Put the trash in the trash can.This sentence is useful for practicing how to command someone to put rác in a bin.Tatoeba #13893863 by leucammieuvu, translation #13892504 by frpzzd
- Nền kinh tế này như giẻ rách.This economy is trash.This sentence shows how rác can be used metaphorically to describe an economy.Tatoeba #13897653 by leucammieuvu, translation #13897385 by kylewii
- Tom kiểm tra tất cả thùng rác.Tom checked all the trash cans.This sentence demonstrates the use of rác in the context of checking trash cans.Tatoeba #10291520 by Alex_do, translation #5641866 by CK
- Thùng rác ở đâu?Where is the trash bin?
- Đừng ném rác lung tung!Please don't litter!
- Làm ơn vứt rác vào thùng!Please put the trash in the bin!
- Chúng ta nên giữ vệ sinh, đừng vứt rác lung tung!We should keep the environment clean, don't litter!
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn and Lan are cleaning their living room together.
- TuấnCái này là rác hả em?Is this trash, honey?
- LanVâng, anh bỏ vào túi đi.Yes, please put it in the bag.
- TuấnĐể anh mang rác đi đổ.Let me take the trash out.
- LanCảm ơn anh nhiều nhé.Thank you very much.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “trash” translations and entries rác, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
