chú
[t͡ɕu˧˦]North
The Vietnamese word for uncle is chú. Wiktionary also lists bác and cậu.
Meaning: brother (or brother-in-law) of someone’s parent (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| chú | [t͡ɕu˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [t͡ɕʊw˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
North |
| bác | [ʔɓaːk̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓaːk̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
North |
| cậu | [kəw˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kəw˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
South |
The term is used to refer to the brother or brother-in-law of someone's parent. Beyond blood relations, bác is also used as a polite way to address a man who is significantly older than one's parent.
Which one should you use?
In Northern Vietnamese, bác specifically refers to an uncle who is older than one's parent.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The terms bác and chú are used in Northern Vietnamese, while cậu is used in Southern Vietnamese.
Did you know?
- In Vietnam, it is common to address a complete stranger as bác or chú to show respect based on their perceived age relative to one's own parents.
- Because Vietnamese kinship terms are so specific, your choice of 'uncle' changes depending on whether the man is the brother of your mother or your father.
- The word cậu is a direct descendant of the Old Chinese word for maternal uncle, 舅, showing how ancient Chinese kinship terms were integrated into Vietnamese.
Examples in context
- Bác tôi đã từng đến Phần Lan.My uncle has been to Finland.This sentence is useful for describing a past visit to Finland using bác.Tatoeba #9008618 by dotheduyet1999, translation #6401574 by RickShaw
- Người đàn ông này là bác tôi.This man is my uncle.This sentence is useful for identifying a man as your uncle using bác.Tatoeba #13903917 by leucammieuvu, translation #13635280 by rul
- Bác tôi đã tặng bạn một món quà.My uncle gave you a present.This sentence is useful for describing a gift given by an uncle using bác.Tatoeba #9739486 by dotheduyet1999, translation #9359674 by DJ_Saidez
- Chú, xin chào!Hello, Uncle!
- Bác, nhớ đến chơi nhà mình nhé!Uncle, remember to visit our house!
- Cậu ơi, đi chơi với cháu nhé?Hey, Uncle, will you go out with me?
- 7 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh is showing a photo of his family to Hương.
- MinhĐây là chú của mình.This is my uncle.
- HươngChú bạn làm nghề gì?What does your uncle do for a living?
- MinhChú mình là bác sĩ.My uncle is a doctor.
- HươngỒ, tuyệt quá!Oh, that's great!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “uncle” translations and entries chú, bác, cậu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bác, chú, cậu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
