Significado
Describing the weather as cold.
Contexto cultural
In Hanoi, 'Trời lạnh' is associated with the 'mùa đông' (winter) and the iconic 'Gió mùa đông bắc' (Northeast monsoon). It's a time for street-side tea (trà đá) to be replaced by hot tea (trà nóng). Saigon only has two seasons: hot and hotter. When people say 'Trời lạnh' in Saigon, it's usually during December when the temperature 'drops' to 20°C. It's a festive time when people finally get to wear sweaters. Cold is considered one of the 'six excesses' that cause illness. If 'Trời lạnh', you will often hear elders warn you about 'trúng gió' (catching a cold/wind). Certain foods are strictly 'cold weather' foods. 'Lẩu' (hotpot) and 'đồ nướng' (BBQ) are the most popular choices when the sky turns cold.
The 'Quá' Rule
Always add 'quá' at the end to sound more natural. Vietnamese people rarely just state 'Trời lạnh' as a fact; they almost always express it as an exclamation: 'Trời lạnh quá!'
Avoid 'Là'
Never say 'Trời là lạnh'. It's the #1 marker of a beginner. Just Subject + Adjective.
Significado
Describing the weather as cold.
The 'Quá' Rule
Always add 'quá' at the end to sound more natural. Vietnamese people rarely just state 'Trời lạnh' as a fact; they almost always express it as an exclamation: 'Trời lạnh quá!'
Avoid 'Là'
Never say 'Trời là lạnh'. It's the #1 marker of a beginner. Just Subject + Adjective.
Small Talk Gold
If you don't know what to say to a Vietnamese person, just look at the sky and say 'Trời lạnh/nóng nhỉ?' (It's cold/hot, isn't it?). It works every time.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank to say 'It's very cold today'.
Hôm nay trời ___ lắm.
'Lạnh' means cold. 'Nóng' means hot, 'đẹp' means beautiful, and 'cao' means high.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Select the correct way to say 'It is cold'.
Vietnamese does not use 'là' between a subject and an adjective.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You step outside and see people wearing coats and shivering.
'Lạnh' is the appropriate response to people shivering and wearing coats.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Trời có lạnh không? B: ________, tôi phải mặc áo len.
The mention of wearing a wool sweater (áo len) implies that the answer to 'Is it cold?' must be 'Yes'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Types of Cold in Vietnamese
Weather
- • Trời lạnh
- • Trời rét
- • Se se lạnh
Objects
- • Nước lạnh
- • Bia lạnh
Food
- • Cơm nguội
- • Canh nguội
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosHôm nay trời ___ lắm.
'Lạnh' means cold. 'Nóng' means hot, 'đẹp' means beautiful, and 'cao' means high.
Select the correct way to say 'It is cold'.
Vietnamese does not use 'là' between a subject and an adjective.
You step outside and see people wearing coats and shivering.
'Lạnh' is the appropriate response to people shivering and wearing coats.
A: Trời có lạnh không? B: ________, tôi phải mặc áo len.
The mention of wearing a wool sweater (áo len) implies that the answer to 'Is it cold?' must be 'Yes'.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
5 preguntasYes, but it's more natural to say 'Tôi thấy lạnh' (I feel cold) or 'Lạnh quá' (So cold). 'Trời lạnh' specifically refers to the weather.
'Lạnh' is general cold. 'Rét' is intense, freezing cold, used mostly in Northern Vietnam during winter.
Use the pattern: 'Trời có lạnh không?'.
In casual speech, you can just say 'Lạnh quá!', but 'Trời lạnh' is the complete, standard form.
Yes, you can say 'Anh ấy rất lạnh lùng' (He is very cold/distant). Note the double word 'lạnh lùng'.
Frases relacionadas
Trời nóng
contrastThe weather is hot.
Trời mưa
similarIt is raining.
Trời rét
specialized formIt is freezing cold.
Se se lạnh
specialized formChilly/Crisp.
