ô
[ʔo˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for umbrella is ô or dù.
Meaning: cloth-covered frame used for protection against rain or sun (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ô | [ʔo˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔow˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| dù | [zu˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [jʊw˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
The word refers to a cloth-covered frame used for protection against rain or sun.
Which one should you use?
dù and ô both mean umbrella. In natural speech, the noun is often preceded by the classifier cái to form cái dù or cái ô.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
ô can be used in colloquial, literary or archaic contexts.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the word dù can also be used to mean 'parachute' because both are canopy-like shelters.
- The word dù is used in the phrase dù sao đi nữa to mean 'anyway' or 'regardless'.
- The word ô has a surprising linguistic connection to the color black, as it shares roots with the Sino-Vietnamese word for 'crow', which is 烏.
Examples in context
- Dù của tui đâu?Where is my umbrella?This sentence is useful for asking about the location of your dù.Tatoeba #13608453 by leucammieuvu, translation #1495863 by CK
- Bạn cần ô không?Do you need an umbrella?This sentence is useful for asking if someone needs an ô.Tatoeba #9474321 by dotheduyet1999, translation #4908363 by Balamax
- Ô của tôi bị gãy.My umbrella broke.This sentence is useful for stating that your ô is broken.Tatoeba #13340825 by leucammieuvu, translation #5942300 by mailohilohi
- Tôi xin mượn cái dù của bạn được không?May I borrow your umbrella, please?
- Trời mưa, hãy mang theo chiếc ô của bạn.It's raining, please bring your umbrella with you.
- Em đã mang theo cái dù chưa?Have you brought your umbrella?
- 48 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Hùng are standing at a bus stop during a sudden downpour.
- ChiTrời mưa to quá, tôi không có ô.It is raining too heavily, I don't have an umbrella.
- HùngAnh có ô này, dùng chung với anh đi.I have this umbrella, use it with me.
- ChiCảm ơn anh, anh thật là tốt bụng.Thank you, you are so kind.
- HùngKhông có gì đâu, mình cùng đi thôi.It's nothing, let's go together.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “umbrella” translations and entries ô, dù, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dù, ô, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
