rau
[zaw˧˧]
The English word "vegetable" is translated into Vietnamese as rau.
rau is a broad term used to refer to vegetables. It covers leafy greens, herbs and most edible plant parts used in cooking.
Meaning: a plant raised for some edible part of it (noun)
Which one should you use?
In Vietnamese, rau is often used in contrast with hoa quả (fruit) when categorizing different types of produce.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word rau can function as a noun meaning "vegetable" or as an adjective meaning "of or relating to plants".
Did you know?
- Vietnamese distinguishes between rau and củ, where củ specifically refers to tubers or root vegetables like carrots and potatoes.
- The word rau can be used in the phrase rau má, referring to pennywort, which is used to make a popular cooling drink in Vietnamese street cafes.
- The word rau traces its roots back to the Proto-Vietic form *-raw, showing its deep historical presence in the language.
Examples in context
- Cà chua là hoa quả hay rau củ?Are tomatoes a fruit or a vegetable?This sentence is useful for asking whether tomatoes are considered hoa quả or rau.Tatoeba #13715069 by leucammieuvu, translation #13714341 by zogwarg
- Tuần này, cô ấy đã trồng vườn rau đầu tiên của mình.This week she planted her first vegetable garden.This sentence shows the use of rau in the context of a vegetable garden.Tatoeba #9028712 by dotheduyet1999, translation #8713173 by Hybrid
- Rau muốngWater spinach
- Rau cần tâyCelery
- Cải thảoChinese cabbage
- Cải thìaBok choy
- Tôi cần mua thêm rau ở chợ.I need to buy more vegetables at the market.
Example conversation
At a grocery store.
- LanAnh muốn mua rau gì?What vegetables do you want to buy?
- NamCho tôi một cân rau muống.Give me one kilogram of water spinach.
- LanAnh có muốn mua thêm gì không?Do you want to buy anything else?
- NamKhông, cảm ơn cô.No, thank you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “vegetable” translations and entries rau, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rau, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
