Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| thắng | [tʰaŋ˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰaŋ˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| chiến thắng | [t͡ɕiən˧˦ tʰaŋ˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [t͡ɕiəŋ˦˧˥ tʰaŋ˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| thắng lợi | [tʰaŋ˧˦ ləːj˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [tʰaŋ˦˧˥ ləːj˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
The verb thắng is used to express achieving victory. For example, you can say thắng cuộc thi to mean 'win a competition'. If you want to express a more general sense of successful achievement rather than a specific win, you might use thành công instead.
What does it mean word for word?
The term chiến thắng is composed of chiến (war/battle) and thắng (win), which literally means a victory in battle.
Which one should you use?
While thắng is the standard way to say win, chiến thắng is a heavier, more formal term often used in news, politics or when describing a significant, hard-fought victory. Thắng lợi is a formal noun or verb phrase that emphasizes the triumphant success or the successful outcome of an endeavor.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone 'won' in the past, add the particle đã before thắng (forming đã thắng). To express that someone 'will win' in the future, add the particle sẽ before thắng (forming sẽ thắng).
Did you know?
- While thắng means 'win', the word thắng can also be used as a verb meaning 'to brake' a vehicle, such as a car or bicycle.
- The word thắng is a homonym with another word meaning 'sugar'. While the word for sugar is usually đường, thắng is used when referring to melted or caramelized sugar.
- Because Vietnamese is a tonal language, changing the tone of thắng can create entirely different words, such as thăng meaning 'to promote' or 'to ascend'.
Examples in context
- Chúng ta có thể thắng.We can win.This sentence is useful for saying 'We can win.'Tatoeba #13599348 by leucammieuvu, translation #4502907 by CK
- Tom chắc chắn sẽ thắng.Tom ought to win.This sentence is useful for saying 'Tom ought to win.'Tatoeba #9010706 by dotheduyet1999, translation #6358515 by CK
- Chúng ta có thắng không?Did we win?This sentence is useful for asking 'Did we win?'Tatoeba #13341082 by leucammieuvu, translation #3818532 by CK
- Họ đã thắng trận đấu.They won the match.
- Chiến thắng này đánh dấu một bước tiến quan trọng.This victory marks an important step forward.
- Đội tuyển đã đánh bại đối thủ mạnh.The team defeated a strong opponent.
- Chúng ta đã đạt được một thắng lợi quan trọng.We achieved an important win.
- 29 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are watching a soccer match on TV.
- NamĐội của anh ấy sẽ thắng trận này.His team will win this match.
- ChiEm nghĩ họ sẽ thắng.I think they will win.
- NamCô ấy đã thắng trận đấu trước.She won the previous match.
- ChiĐúng vậy, cô ấy chơi rất hay.That's right, she plays very well.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “win” translations and entries thắng, chiến thắng, thắng lợi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chiến, chiến thắng, lợi, thắng, thắng lợi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
