chó sói
[t͡ɕɔ˧˦ sɔj˧˦]
The English word wolf is chó sói in Vietnamese. Wiktionary also lists sói.
Meaning: animal (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| chó sói | [t͡ɕɔ˧˦ sɔj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [t͡ɕɔ˨˩˦ ʂɔj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| sói | [sɔj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʂɔj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
The term is used to refer to the predatory animal. Similar to English, the word sói is also used metaphorically to describe a person who is cunning or predatory.
What does it mean word for word?
The compound chó sói literally combines the words for 'dog' (chó) and 'wolf' (sói).
Which one should you use?
sói is the core noun for wolf, whereas chó sói is a common compound form used to specify the animal.
How does it change in a sentence?
When counting or referring to a specific wolf, the classifier con is used before sói to form con sói.
Did you know?
- The linguistic ancestor of chó is thought to have shared a root with words meaning 'servant' or 'slave' in related languages like Semai. This points to an ancient connection between the concept of domestic animals and human roles.
- While chó sói means 'wolf', the word chó is used in various Vietnamese idioms to describe loyalty or lack thereof, whereas sói is almost exclusively associated with cunning and danger.
Examples in context
- Chó và sói khác nhau ở đâu?What's the difference between a dog and a wolf?This sentence is useful for comparing a dog and a sói.Tatoeba #13342805 by leucammieuvu, translation #2775534 by Hybrid
- Đó là một con chó hay một con sói?Is that a dog or a wolf?This sentence is useful for asking if an animal is a dog or a sói.Tatoeba #10274118 by Alex_do, translation #9705123 by CK
- Hãy coi chừng những con sói đội lốt cừu.Beware the wolf in sheep's clothing.This sentence is useful for the metaphor regarding a sói in sheep's clothing.Tatoeba #10269452 by Alex_do, translation #920874 by Scott
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Tuấn are watching a nature documentary together.
- MaiNhìn kìa, một con chó sói!Look, a wolf!
- TuấnNó trông thật mạnh mẽ, Mai.It looks very strong, Mai.
- MaiNó đang nhìn thẳng vào camera.It is looking straight at the camera.
- TuấnThật là một khoảnh khắc tuyệt vời.That is a wonderful moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “wolf” translations and entries chó sói, sói, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chó, chó sói, sói, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
