cây
[kəj˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for tree is cây.
cây refers to a large woody plant. However, in many contexts, it is also the standard word used to describe general plants or shrubs. If you want to refer to the part of the plant located underground, the word gốc is used to mean root.
Meaning: large woody plant (noun)
Which one should you use?
While cây refers to an individual plant or tree, the reduplicated form cây cối is used when referring to trees and vegetation in a general or collective sense.
Did you know?
- The word cây can function as a classifier for many things that are not plants, such as 'cây bút' for a pen or 'cây đàn' for a musical instrument.
- The word cây is used as a slang term for a 'pro' or an expert in a specific field, such as cây viết for a seasoned writer.
- Cây is often used in the phrase cây đa, referring to the ancient banyan tree which serves as a traditional spiritual symbol of the Vietnamese village.
Examples in context
- Ôm một cái cây.Hug a tree.This sentence shows how to use cây in the context of hugging.Tatoeba #14034948 by nhuttan2004, translation #13985906 by maaster
- Trồng một cái cây.Plant a tree.This sentence demonstrates the use of cây when talking about planting.Tatoeba #8956545 by dotheduyet1999, translation #5942226 by mailohilohi
- Trông quả biết cây.A tree is known by its fruit.This sentence uses cây within a common proverb.Tatoeba #8994391 by dotheduyet1999, translation #245644 by CM
- Cây xanh đó là một phần không thể thiếu của cảnh quan thành phố.That green tree is an essential part of the city's landscape.
- Hãy trồng cây và bảo vệ môi trường xung quanh chúng ta.Let's plant trees and protect the environment around us.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Minh are walking in a park.
- ChiNhìn kìa Minh, cái cây kia đẹp quá!Look Minh, that tree is so beautiful!
- MinhĐúng vậy, nó rất lớn.That's true, it is very large.
- ChiChúng ta hãy ngồi dưới cái cây đó nhé?Shall we sit under that tree?
- MinhÝ hay đó, Chi.That is a good idea, Chi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “tree” translations and entries cây, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
