viết
[viət̚˧˦]
To write in Vietnamese is to say viết. Wiktionary also lists ghi.
Meaning: to form letters, etc. (verb)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| viết | [viət̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [viək̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| ghi | [ɣi˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ɣɪj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The term viết is used for the act of forming letters or composing text. If you are talking about writing as a creative pursuit, a hobby or a profession, you can use the more colloquial term viết lách. Additionally, viết thư is the standard way to say "to write a letter".
Which one should you use?
While viết refers to the physical act of forming letters or composing text, ghi is used specifically for the act of noting something down or recording information for later reference.
Did you know?
- In the 17th century, the word viết was documented in the Dictionarium Annamiticum Lusitanum et Latinum as ꞗiét or viét.
- In traditional Vietnamese culture, the act of writing viết was historically tied to the mastery of calligraphy and the study of Confucian classics.
- When Vietnamese speakers refer to 'writing' in a general sense, they often use the doubled form viết lách to soften the tone or imply a casual habit.
Examples in context
- Viết gì đó đi.Write something.Tatoeba #13339775 by leucammieuvu, translation #1217372 by CM
- Viết cho tôi đi.Write to me.Tatoeba #13599344 by leucammieuvu, translation #4530967 by CK
- Tôi chả viết gì cả.I didn't write anything.Tatoeba #13769828 by leucammieuvu, translation #1887208 by CK
- Văn bản này do tôi tự viết.I personally wrote this document.
- Em xin được viết thư xin lỗi.May I write an apology letter?
- 52 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, Lan is practicing her handwriting.
- TuấnLan đang viết gì thế?What are you writing, Lan?
- LanTôi đang viết nhật ký.I am writing in my diary.
- TuấnChữ của bạn viết rất đẹp.Your writing is very beautiful.
- LanCảm ơn Tuấn nhé.Thank you, Tuan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “write” translations and entries viết, ghi, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ghi, viết, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
