đồng hồ
[ʔɗəwŋ͡m˨˩ ho˨˩]
The Vietnamese word for watch is đồng hồ.
đồng hồ refers to a timepiece, which can be a portable watch or a stationary clock. If you want to be specific about a wristwatch, you can use the phrase đồng hồ đeo tay. Note that the related verbs xem and coi mean to watch something for a period of time, while nhìn means to observe.
Meaning: portable or wearable timepiece (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term đồng hồ literally means clock or watch.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
When expressing that you are wearing a watch, use the verb đeo (to wear an accessory) instead of mặc (to wear clothes).
Did you know?
- The term đồng hồ for a timepiece literally translates to 'copper pot'.
- The word đồng is a homonym in Vietnamese and can mean 'copper', 'field' or 'currency' depending on the context and tone.
- The term đồng hồ is a Sino-Vietnamese word, meaning it was borrowed from Chinese characters.
Examples in context
- Tôi đeo đồng hồI wear a watch.This sentence is useful for practicing how to say you wear a đồng hồ.Tatoeba #10670161 by quoctrong018, translation #8845789 by CK
- Đồng hồ hết pin rồi.The watch battery was dead.This sentence describes a đồng hồ with a dead battery.Tatoeba #3322910 by trieuho, translation #3344548 by ngbaanh
- Đồng hồ của tôi bị trộm rồi.My watch has been stolen.This sentence explains what happened to a stolen đồng hồ.Tatoeba #9917698 by dotheduyet1999, translation #251010 by CK
- Tôi đang tìm một chiếc đồng hồ đẹp.I am looking for a beautiful watch.
- 17 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Mai are looking at a shop window.
- MaiCái đồng hồ này đẹp quá!This watch is so beautiful!
- NamNó hơi đắt đấy, Mai.It is a bit expensive, Mai.
- MaiNhưng chiếc đồng hồ đó rất sang trọng.But that watch is very elegant.
- NamNam thấy nó cũng hợp với em.Nam thinks it suits you too.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “watch” translations and entries đồng hồ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hồ, đồng, đồng hồ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
