sữa chua
[sɨə˦ˀ˥ t͡ɕuə˧˧]
In Vietnamese, the English word "yogurt" is translated as sữa chua. If unsure, use sữa chua. Wiktionary also lists da ua.
Meaning: a milk-based product thickened by a bacterium-aided curdling process (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| sữa chua | [sɨə˦ˀ˥ t͡ɕuə˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʂɨə˧˨ t͡ɕuə˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| da ua |
The term refers to a milk-based product thickened by a bacterium-aided curdling process.
What does it mean word for word?
The term sữa chua is composed of sữa, meaning "milk" and chua, meaning "sour".
Is it said differently in some regions?
The form da ua is also used in Vietnamese.
Did you know?
- The alternative form da ua is a phonetic transliteration of the French word 'yaourt'.
- In Vietnam, sữa chua is frequently enjoyed as a dessert with condensed milk or coconut milk added for sweetness.
- The word sữa is used in Vietnamese not only for animal milk but also to describe the 'milky' sap of certain plants.
Examples in context
- Tom ghét sữa chua.Tom hates yogurt.This sentence shows how to express a dislike for sữa chua.Tatoeba #13339895 by leucammieuvu, translation #9971938 by CK
- Chúng ta hết sữa chua rồi.We're out of yogurt.This sentence shows how to state that one has run out of sữa chua.Tatoeba #13573364 by leucammieuvu, translation #13573028 by rul
- Tôi muốn ăn sữa chua.I want to eat yogurt.
Example conversation
Chi and Tuấn are deciding what to eat for dessert.
- ChiTuấn ơi, anh có muốn ăn sữa chua không?Tuấn, do you want to eat yogurt?
- TuấnCó, tôi thích ăn sữa chua lạnh.Yes, I like eating cold yogurt.
- ChiĐể em lấy sữa chua trong tủ lạnh nhé.Let me get the yogurt from the fridge.
- TuấnCảm ơn Chi nhiều nhé.Thank you very much, Chi.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “yogurt” translations and entries sữa chua, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries chua, da, sữa, sữa chua, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
