Signification
Playing a musical instrument.
Contexte culturel
The 'Cây đàn sinh viên' (Student's Guitar) is a symbol of the hardship and romanticism of university life in Vietnam. Đờn ca tài tử is a UNESCO-recognized art form where 'chơi đàn' is a social, improvisational activity among friends. Royal court music (Nhã nhạc) features highly specialized ways of 'chơi đàn' that were once reserved for emperors. Acoustic cafes are popular spots where young people gather to 'chơi đàn' and cover V-pop hits.
The 'Safe' Verb
If you forget 'đánh' or 'gảy', 'chơi' is always understood and never sounds rude.
No 'Play' for Sports
While 'chơi' works for instruments and sports, don't assume every 'play' in English translates to 'chơi' (e.g., playing a role in a movie is 'đóng vai').
Signification
Playing a musical instrument.
The 'Safe' Verb
If you forget 'đánh' or 'gảy', 'chơi' is always understood and never sounds rude.
No 'Play' for Sports
While 'chơi' works for instruments and sports, don't assume every 'play' in English translates to 'chơi' (e.g., playing a role in a movie is 'đóng vai').
Use Classifiers
Always use 'cây' when talking about the instrument as a gift or a purchase: 'Mua một cây đàn'.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank with the correct verb.
Tôi thích ___ đàn piano vào cuối tuần.
You 'chơi' (play) an instrument like the piano.
Which sentence is correct for playing the flute?
How do you say 'I play the flute'?
Flutes are wind instruments, so we use 'thổi' (blow).
Match the instrument with the most common verb.
Match: 1. Đàn Guitar, 2. Trống, 3. Sáo
Guitar is 'chơi/đánh', Drums are 'đánh', Flute is 'thổi'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Bạn có biết chơi đàn không? B: Có, mình biết ___ guitar.
'Đánh' is a very common and natural verb for playing guitar.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Verbs for Different Instruments
Chơi / Đánh
- • Piano
- • Guitar
- • Organ
Thổi
- • Sáo (Flute)
- • Kèn (Trumpet)
Kéo
- • Violin
- • Đàn Nhị
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTôi thích ___ đàn piano vào cuối tuần.
You 'chơi' (play) an instrument like the piano.
How do you say 'I play the flute'?
Flutes are wind instruments, so we use 'thổi' (blow).
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Guitar is 'chơi/đánh', Drums are 'đánh', Flute is 'thổi'.
A: Bạn có biết chơi đàn không? B: Có, mình biết ___ guitar.
'Đánh' is a very common and natural verb for playing guitar.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, but 'kéo đàn' (pulling the instrument) is more specific and sounds more native.
For piano and guitar, 'đánh đàn' is slightly more common in casual speech, but 'chơi đàn' is perfectly fine.
Use 'chơi một bài' or 'đánh một bài'.
Yes, it can mean literally playing with it as a toy, but context usually makes it clear.
Usually yes. You say 'chơi đàn piano', not just 'chơi piano', though the latter is becoming common in urban slang.
Use 'biểu diễn' (to perform) for formal concerts.
No, use 'mở' (open) or 'bật' (turn on).
Yes, it is universal across all regions of Vietnam.
You can say 'chơi mò' or 'chơi không cần nhạc phổ'.
Yes, 'nhạc cụ' is the formal word for 'musical instrument'. 'Chơi nhạc cụ' sounds a bit more academic.
Expressions liées
Đánh đàn
similarTo play an instrument (more physical)
Học đàn
builds onTo learn an instrument
Biểu diễn
specialized formTo perform
Thổi sáo
contrastTo play the flute
Cây đàn
builds onThe musical instrument (object)
