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A1 verb 13 min de lecture

chạy

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces chạy en 30 secondes
Explication chạy in your Level:
At the A1 level, 'chạy' is primarily learned as a basic action verb meaning 'to run'. Learners use it to describe physical exercise or moving quickly on foot. It is often paired with 'bộ' to form 'chạy bộ' (jogging). At this stage, sentences are simple: 'Tôi chạy' (I run) or 'Anh ấy chạy nhanh' (He runs fast). The focus is on the literal, physical movement of a person. You might also encounter it in simple commands like 'Chạy đi!' (Run!). It is an essential part of the beginner's vocabulary for describing daily routines and basic activities in the park or on the street. Understanding the 'nặng' (heavy) tone is the main challenge here to distinguish it from other similar-sounding words.
At the A2 level, the use of 'chạy' expands to include the movement of vehicles and the basic operation of machines. You will learn that a car 'chạy trên đường' (runs on the road) and a clock 'chạy' (works). You begin to see 'chạy' in more complex daily scenarios, such as 'chạy lại' (running over here) or 'chạy đi' (running away). The word starts to appear in common phrases like 'chạy kịp' (to run in time to catch something). Learners at this level should be able to describe their commute or simple mechanical issues using 'chạy'. For example, 'Xe máy của tôi không chạy được' (My motorbike won't run/start).
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By B1, 'chạy' moves into the realm of professional and functional language. You will hear it used for 'running a program' (chạy chương trình) or 'running a project'. It also appears in the context of deadlines—'chạy deadline' is a ubiquitous term among students and office workers. You'll start to recognize more abstract uses, like 'chạy tiền' (scrambling for money) or 'chạy việc' (hustling for a job). The verb becomes more versatile, acting as a bridge between physical action and task management. You should be comfortable using 'chạy' to describe processes that have a start, an end, and a sense of urgency or ongoing activity.
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At the B2 level, 'chạy' is used in idiomatic expressions and more nuanced social contexts. You will understand the subtle difference between 'chạy' and its synonyms like 'phóng' (to speed) or 'vận hành' (to operate). You'll encounter 'chạy' in news reports, such as 'chạy đua vũ trang' (arms race) or 'chạy đua vào Nhà Trắng' (race to the White House). The word is now used to describe complex social maneuvers and metaphorical races against time or competitors. You can discuss the efficiency of a system by saying it 'chạy tốt' and use 'chạy' to describe the 'hustle' of urban life in Vietnam, including the 'chạy sô' (running from gig to gig) of performers.
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At the C1 level, you master the stylistic and socio-political nuances of 'chạy'. You understand 'chạy án' (bribing to reduce a legal sentence) and 'chạy chức' (buying a political or professional position), recognizing the heavy social weight these terms carry. You can use 'chạy' in literature or high-level journalism to describe the 'flow' of a narrative or the 'movement' of a social trend. The word becomes a tool for expressing urgency, corruption, efficiency, or dynamism depending on the context. You are also familiar with technical medical uses like 'chạy thận' (dialysis) and can use the word in varied registers from street slang to academic discussion about logistics.
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At the C2 level, 'chạy' is used with complete native-like fluidity, including in poetry, complex puns, and deep cultural analysis. You can interpret the word's presence in classical literature or modern song lyrics where it might symbolize the fleeting nature of life or the desperate pursuit of an ideal. You understand the historical evolution of the word and its role in the Vietnamese psyche—representing the 'động' (dynamic/active) nature of the culture. You can switch between literal, metaphorical, and technical meanings of 'chạy' within a single conversation without hesitation, fully grasping its role as a fundamental descriptor of any process that moves, functions, or evolves.
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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

chạy en 30 secondes

  • Chạy is the primary Vietnamese verb for 'to run', used for people, animals, and physical exercise like jogging (chạy bộ).
  • It also describes the operation of machinery, engines, clocks, and computer software, similar to the English 'it runs'.
  • In daily life, it often implies urgency, such as 'chạy deadline' (meeting a deadline) or 'chạy việc' (hustling for a job).
  • Be careful with the tone; 'chạy' has a low, heavy tone. Mispronouncing it can change the meaning to 'burn' (cháy).

The Vietnamese word chạy is one of the most versatile and essential verbs in the Vietnamese language. At its most fundamental level, it translates to the English verb 'to run.' However, its utility extends far beyond simple physical locomotion. In Vietnamese culture and communication, chạy describes the movement of people, the operation of machinery, the flow of time, and even the frantic social 'hustling' required to achieve specific goals in a rapidly developing society. For a beginner (A1), you will primarily use it to describe exercise or moving quickly on foot. As you progress, you will see it used for cars moving on a road, software executing code, and even medical processes like dialysis.

Physical Movement
The act of moving fast on foot where both feet are off the ground at once. Example: 'Em bé đang chạy' (The baby is running).

Tôi thích chạy bộ mỗi sáng để giữ gìn sức khỏe và tinh thần thoải mái.

Mechanical Operation
Used when an engine, a clock, or a computer program is functioning correctly. Example: 'Máy tính đang chạy' (The computer is running).

Understanding chạy requires looking at the context of speed and purpose. Whether it is a student 'chạy deadline' (rushing to meet a deadline) or a merchant 'chạy hàng' (trying to sell off stock quickly), the word conveys a sense of urgency and dynamic action. It is a 'high-energy' verb that captures the pulse of Vietnamese life, from the busy streets of Saigon to the quiet morning joggers around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi. When you use this word, you are describing something that is active, functional, and moving forward.

Con tàu đang chạy trên đường ray hướng về phía Nam.

Social Hustle
A more complex usage referring to using connections or money to secure a job or a legal outcome. Example: 'chạy việc' (hustling for a job).

Anh ấy phải chạy đôn chạy đáo khắp nơi để lo việc cho con.

Đừng chạy nhanh quá, đường trơn lắm!

In summary, chạy is the heartbeat of Vietnamese verbs. It covers the spectrum from the most literal physical sprint to the most metaphorical social maneuver. For an English speaker, while 'run' covers many of these bases (the engine runs, the nose runs, the person runs), Vietnamese extends it further into the realm of daily survival and social navigation, making it a fascinating study in linguistic flexibility.

Using chạy in a sentence is relatively straightforward due to the lack of verb conjugation in Vietnamese. However, the placement of adverbs and the choice of accompanying nouns are crucial for sounding natural. In its simplest form, you follow the Subject + Verb pattern. To specify the type of running, such as jogging for health, we use the compound 'chạy bộ'. If you are running away from something, you use 'chạy trốn'. The grammar is analytical, meaning the meaning is built by adding words rather than changing the word 'chạy' itself.

Basic Structure
Subject + chạy + (Object/Adverb). Example: 'Tôi chạy chậm' (I run slowly).

Vận động viên đang chạy về đích với tốc độ phi thường.

When describing vehicles, chạy is used to indicate the mode of propulsion or the path. You might say 'Xe chạy bằng xăng' (The car runs on gasoline). Notice how 'chạy' here functions exactly like the English 'run' regarding fuel and mechanics. If you want to describe a car driving on a specific street, you would say 'Xe chạy trên đường Lê Lợi'. This highlights the movement aspect of the verb.

With Continuous Aspect
Use 'đang' before 'chạy' to indicate the action is happening right now. Example: 'Trời đang mưa, mọi người đang chạy tìm chỗ trú'.

Chiếc đồng hồ cổ này vẫn còn chạy rất chính xác sau bao nhiêu năm.

In more abstract contexts, chạy can be followed by nouns representing goals. 'Chạy chỉ tiêu' means running to meet a sales quota. 'Chạy dự án' means managing or pushing a project forward. In these cases, the verb takes on a transitive quality where the object is the goal or task being pursued with high intensity. This is a key transition from A-level to B-level Vietnamese proficiency.

Chúng tôi đang phải chạy đua với thời gian để hoàn thành báo cáo.

Negative Forms
Use 'không' or 'chưa'. 'Máy không chạy' (The machine isn't running/working).

Đừng có chạy quanh trong nhà, dễ ngã lắm đấy!

Finally, pay attention to the direction. 'Chạy đi' means run away or go run, while 'chạy lại' can mean run back or run toward the speaker depending on the context. Vietnamese uses directionals (đi, lại, ra, vào, lên, xuống) extensively with chạy to create a 3D picture of the movement in the listener's mind. Mastering these pairings will make your Vietnamese sound much more fluent and expressive.

If you spend a day in a Vietnamese city, you will hear chạy everywhere. In the early morning, around 5:00 AM, you will see groups of elderly people and young fitness enthusiasts at parks like Tao Dan or Thong Nhat. You'll hear them inviting each other: 'Đi chạy bộ không?' (Want to go jogging?). This is the most common literal use of the word you'll encounter in daily life. It represents a commitment to health and community.

On the Streets
Traffic police or people discussing accidents might say 'xe chạy quá tốc độ' (the car was speeding/running over the limit).

Bác tài ơi, chạy nhanh lên một chút cho cháu kịp giờ bay với ạ!

In the workplace, chạy takes on a more metaphorical tone. You'll hear office workers complaining about 'chạy deadline' at the end of every month. In the tech hubs of Da Nang or Ho Chi Minh City, developers will talk about 'chạy code' (running code) or 'chạy test' (running tests). Here, the word is synonymous with execution and operation. It reflects the fast-paced, industrious nature of the modern Vietnamese economy.

In Commercial Hubs
Shop owners might shout 'Hàng này đang chạy lắm!' meaning 'This item is selling very fast!'

Phần mềm này chạy mượt mà trên cả điện thoại và máy tính bảng.

You will also hear it in more sensitive contexts. In cafes, people might whisper about someone having to 'chạy tiền' (scramble to find money, often for a bribe or a debt) or 'chạy án'. While these are more complex social phenomena, hearing the word chạy in these low-toned conversations signals a high-stakes, urgent situation. It's a word that bridges the gap between the mundane act of exercise and the complex machinery of social navigation.

Dạo này công ty đang chạy quảng cáo rất mạnh trên mạng xã hội.

In the Kitchen/Market
Surprisingly, you might hear 'chạy' in relation to food service: 'chạy bàn' means working as a waiter/server, literally 'running the tables'.

Sinh viên thường đi làm thêm nghề chạy bàn vào buổi tối để kiếm thêm thu nhập.

From the physical to the digital, and the social to the commercial, chạy is a linguistic constant. Whether you are observing a marathon in Hanoi or listening to a business meeting in Saigon, this word will be the common thread describing everything that is in motion, functioning, or progressing with speed.

For English speakers, the biggest mistake with chạy is using it for 'running a business' in a formal sense. While you can 'chạy' a project or a program, the standard term for managing a business is 'quản lý' or 'điều hành'. Using chạy for a business sounds very informal or implies you are 'hustling' the business rather than professionally managing it. Another common error is confusing chạy with đi (to go/walk).

Running vs. Walking
English speakers often say 'run' to mean 'go' (e.g., 'I need to run to the store'). In Vietnamese, use 'đi' for this. 'Chạy ra cửa hàng' implies you are literally sprinting there because of an emergency.

Sai: Tôi chạy xe đạp. (Incorrect for general cycling). Đúng: Tôi đi xe đạp hoặc đạp xe.

Another nuance is the use of chạy with vehicles. While 'chạy xe' is common in the South, many learners forget that 'lái' is the specific verb for 'to drive'. If you say 'Tôi đang chạy', people might think you are jogging on the road rather than driving a car. Always clarify with the vehicle name: 'Tôi đang chạy xe'. Also, be careful with the tone. Chạy has the heavy 'nặng' tone (.). If you pronounce it with a rising tone (cháy), it means 'to burn' or 'fire'—a very different and potentially alarming mistake!

The 'Running Water' Trap
In English, we say 'the water is running'. In Vietnamese, water 'chảy' (falling/flowing tone), not 'chạy'. Saying 'nước chạy' sounds like the water has legs and is escaping.

Sai: Nước đang chạy. Đúng: Nước đang chảy.

Lastly, avoid using chạy for 'running for office' (political campaigns). The Vietnamese term for this is 'ứng cử'. If you say someone is 'chạy bầu cử', it might imply they are using illegal means or bribery to win, rather than just campaigning. This cultural nuance is vital to avoid unintended insults or misunderstandings in formal discussions.

Anh ấy đang chạy sô (show) liên tục từ sáng đến tối.

Transitive Confusion
Don't say 'Tôi chạy con chó' to mean 'I run the dog'. Use 'Tôi dắt chó đi dạo' (I lead the dog for a walk).

Đừng chạy theo những thứ hão huyền.

By being mindful of these tonal and contextual traps, you will avoid the most common pitfalls that trip up English speakers. The key is to remember that while chạy is flexible, it isn't a universal replacement for every English use of 'run'.

While chạy is the general term for running, Vietnamese offers several synonyms and related words that provide more specific imagery or register. Choosing the right one can make your descriptions more vivid and native-like. For instance, if you want to describe someone running very fast or 'zooming' by, you might use 'phóng' or 'lao'. Understanding these distinctions is part of moving into the intermediate and advanced levels of the language.

Phóng vs. Chạy
'Phóng' implies great speed or launching forward, like a motorcycle speeding down a highway ('phóng xe'). 'Chạy' is more general.

Chiếc xe máy phóng vút qua ngã tư khi đèn vừa chuyển sang màu vàng.

Lao vs. Chạy
'Lao' means to dash or lunge forward, often with a sense of danger or recklessness. 'Lao ra đường' means dashing out into the street.

Cầu thủ lao đến đánh đầu ghi bàn thắng quyết định.

When talking about machines specifically, 'hoạt động' (to operate/work) is a more formal alternative to chạy. While you can say 'máy đang chạy', in a technical manual, you would see 'máy đang hoạt động'. Similarly, for the flow of liquids, as mentioned before, always use 'chảy' instead of chạy. For the passing of time, 'trôi' (to drift/flow) is often more poetic than chạy, although 'thời gian chạy đua' (time racing) is a common idiom.

Rảo bước vs. Chạy
'Rảo bước' means to quicken one's pace or walk briskly. It's between walking and running, often used in literature.

Thấy trời sắp mưa, cô ấy rảo bước nhanh hơn về phía trạm xe buýt.

Finally, consider 'vận hành' for complex systems or factories. While a single motor chạy, an entire factory vận hành. By learning these alternatives, you can move from basic 'A1' communication to a more nuanced and professional level of Vietnamese. Each word carries its own 'speed' and 'weight', allowing you to paint a clearer picture of the action you are describing.

Hệ thống này cần được vận hành bởi các chuyên gia có kinh nghiệm.

Tẩu thoát vs. Chạy trốn
'Tẩu thoát' is a more formal or dramatic way to say 'escape' (run away), often used in crime stories.

Kẻ trộm đã tẩu thoát qua cửa sổ trước khi cảnh sát đến.

How Formal Is It?

Formel

""

Neutre

""

Informel

""

Child friendly

""

Argot

""

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'chạy' is used in medical terminology ('chạy thận') because the process involves the movement of blood through a machine, mimicking the 'running' of a system.

Guide de prononciation

UK /t͡ɕaj˧˨/
US /t͡ɕaj˧˨/
As a single-syllable word, the stress is on the syllable itself, characterized by the heavy tone drop.
Rime avec
bạy cạy dạy gạy hạy lạy mạy nạy
Erreurs fréquentes
  • Pronouncing it with a rising tone (cháy), which means 'to burn'.
  • Pronouncing it with a flat tone (chay), which means 'vegetarian'.
  • Making the 'ay' sound too long like 'eye'.
  • Failing to make the tone 'heavy' enough (dropping the pitch abruptly).
  • Confusing the 'ch' with a 'tr' sound (though they are merging in some dialects).

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 1/5

Easy to recognize, but context determines the specific meaning.

Écriture 2/5

Simple spelling, but the tone mark is crucial.

Expression orale 3/5

The heavy tone (.) can be tricky for beginners to hit correctly.

Écoute 2/5

Clearly distinguishable unless the speaker is very fast.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

đi (go) nhanh (fast) xe (vehicle) máy (machine) người (person)

Apprends ensuite

nhảy (jump) đi bộ (walk) lái (drive) dừng (stop) vận hành (operate)

Avancé

tháo chạy (flee) bôn ba (wander/hustle) vận hành (system operation) ứng cử (run for office)

Grammaire à connaître

Aspect Markers

Tôi 'đang' chạy (I am running).

Directional Verbs

Chạy 'ra', chạy 'vào', chạy 'lên', chạy 'xuống'.

Compound Verbs

Chạy + bộ = jogging.

Resultative Complements

Chạy 'thoát' (run and escape successfully).

Negation

Máy 'không' chạy (The machine doesn't work).

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Exemples par niveau

1

Tôi chạy bộ mỗi sáng.

I jog every morning.

Chạy bộ is a compound verb for jogging.

2

Con chó đang chạy.

The dog is running.

Đang indicates continuous action.

3

Đừng chạy nhanh quá!

Don't run too fast!

Đừng is used for negative commands.

4

Bé chạy lại đây.

The child runs over here.

Lại đây indicates direction towards the speaker.

5

Em có biết chạy không?

Do you know how to run?

Biết... không? asks about ability.

6

Chúng tôi chạy trong công viên.

We run in the park.

Trong indicates location.

7

Con mèo chạy mất rồi.

The cat ran away already.

Mất rồi indicates something is gone.

8

Chạy đi!

Run!

Simple imperative form.

1

Xe buýt đang chạy trên đường.

The bus is running on the road.

Chạy describes vehicle movement.

2

Đồng hồ của tôi không chạy.

My watch isn't running.

Chạy means to function for machines.

3

Tôi chạy ra bến xe cho kịp giờ.

I ran to the bus station to be on time.

Kịp giờ means to be on time.

4

Máy giặt đang chạy rất êm.

The washing machine is running very quietly.

Êm means smoothly or quietly.

5

Con tàu chạy rất nhanh.

The train runs very fast.

Rất nhanh is a common adverbial phrase.

6

Chạy lại hiệu thuốc mua thuốc nhé.

Run to the pharmacy to buy medicine, okay?

Nhé is a friendly particle.

7

Nước trong vòi không chạy.

The water in the tap isn't running.

Note: 'Chảy' is better for water, but 'chạy' is used for the system.

8

Xe máy chạy bằng xăng.

Motorbikes run on gasoline.

Bằng indicates the means/fuel.

1

Tôi đang chạy deadline cho dự án mới.

I am running a deadline for the new project.

Chạy deadline is common office slang.

2

Phần mềm này chạy rất tốt trên máy tôi.

This software runs very well on my machine.

Chạy describes software execution.

3

Anh ấy đang chạy việc cho người thân.

He is hustling to get a job for a relative.

Chạy việc implies using social influence.

4

Chúng tôi cần chạy thử chương trình này.

We need to run a test of this program.

Chạy thử means to test run.

5

Công ty đang chạy quảng cáo trên Facebook.

The company is running ads on Facebook.

Chạy quảng cáo is the standard term for ads.

6

Cô ấy chạy sô từ sáng đến tối.

She runs from gig to gig from morning to night.

Chạy sô refers to multiple performances.

7

Máy tính bị treo khi đang chạy ứng dụng.

The computer froze while running the app.

Bị treo means to be frozen.

8

Đừng để thời gian chạy mất.

Don't let time run away.

Metaphorical use for time.

1

Kế hoạch này đang chạy đúng tiến độ.

This plan is running on schedule.

Đúng tiến độ means on schedule.

2

Họ đang chạy đua với thời gian để cứu người.

They are racing against time to save people.

Chạy đua với thời gian is a common idiom.

3

Dòng người tháo chạy khỏi vùng lũ lụt.

The flow of people fleeing the flooded area.

Tháo chạy is a formal word for fleeing.

4

Sản phẩm này bán rất chạy vào mùa hè.

This product sells very well in the summer.

Bán chạy means best-selling.

5

Anh ta phải chạy vây khắp nơi để trả nợ.

He had to scramble everywhere to pay his debt.

Chạy vây implies desperate searching.

6

Chương trình khuyến mãi đang chạy rất mạnh.

The promotion program is running very strongly.

Mạnh here means effectively/widely.

7

Động cơ này chạy bằng năng lượng mặt trời.

This engine runs on solar energy.

Năng lượng mặt trời is solar energy.

8

Chúng tôi đang chạy rà soát lại toàn bộ hệ thống.

We are running a review of the entire system.

Rà soát means to review or audit.

1

Gia đình ông ấy phải chạy thận nhân tạo hàng tuần.

His family has to undergo artificial dialysis every week.

Chạy thận is the medical term for dialysis.

2

Vụ chạy án này đã bị cơ quan chức năng phanh phui.

This case of legal bribery was exposed by the authorities.

Chạy án refers to bribing for legal leniency.

3

Anh ta nổi tiếng với việc chạy chức chạy quyền.

He is famous for buying positions and power.

Chạy chức chạy quyền is a critical social term.

4

Các ứng cử viên đang chạy đua vào ghế nghị sĩ.

The candidates are racing for the parliamentary seat.

Chạy đua here is political campaigning.

5

Nền kinh tế đang chạy hết công suất.

The economy is running at full capacity.

Hết công suất means at full capacity.

6

Đừng chạy theo những giá trị ảo trên mạng.

Don't chase after virtual values on the internet.

Chạy theo means to chase or follow blindly.

7

Kịch bản này được chạy thử nghiệm nhiều lần.

This script was tested/run through many times.

Chạy thử nghiệm is technical testing.

8

Họ phải chạy đôn chạy đáo lo thủ tục nhập học.

They had to run here and there to handle school admission procedures.

Chạy đôn chạy đáo is a four-word idiom for busy-ness.

1

Sự chạy đua vũ trang toàn cầu đang gia tăng căng thẳng.

The global arms race is increasing tension.

Chạy đua vũ trang is 'arms race'.

2

Dòng đời cứ thế chạy trôi qua kẽ tay.

The flow of life just runs through the fingers like that.

Poetic use of chạy with time and life.

3

Anh ta đã chạy thoát khỏi những định kiến hẹp hòi.

He escaped from narrow-minded prejudices.

Metaphorical escape.

4

Việc chạy vốn cho dự án nghìn tỷ gặp nhiều khó khăn.

Raising capital for the trillion-dong project faced many difficulties.

Chạy vốn means scrambling to raise capital.

5

Hệ thống vận hành tự động chạy dựa trên thuật toán AI.

The automated operating system runs based on AI algorithms.

Technical description of AI execution.

6

Trong văn chương, cái 'chạy' của nhân vật thể hiện sự bế tắc.

In literature, the 'running' of the character expresses a dead end.

Literary analysis of the verb.

7

Ông ấy đã chạy hết quãng đời mình vì sự nghiệp giáo dục.

He ran his whole life for the cause of education.

Chạy used to describe a life's journey.

8

Sự tương tác giữa các phân tử chạy theo quy luật vật lý.

The interaction between molecules runs according to physical laws.

Scientific application of the word.

Collocations courantes

chạy bộ
chạy xe
chạy deadline
chạy quảng cáo
chạy án
chạy thận
chạy trốn
chạy đua
chạy chức
chạy việc

Phrases Courantes

Chạy đi!

— Run away! or Go run!

Nguy hiểm, chạy đi!

Bán chạy

— Selling fast / Best-seller.

Sách này bán rất chạy.

Chạy kịp

— To make it in time.

Tôi chạy không kịp xe buýt.

Chạy lòng vòng

— Running in circles.

Đừng chạy lòng vòng nữa.

Chạy theo

— To chase after someone/something.

Con chó chạy theo chủ.

Chạy ngược chạy xuôi

— Running everywhere busily.

Mẹ tôi chạy ngược chạy xuôi lo Tết.

Chạy sô

— Running between gigs/shows.

Ca sĩ đang chạy sô.

Chạy thử

— To test run / trial.

Chạy thử máy mới.

Chạy tiền

— Scrambling to find money.

Anh ấy đang chạy tiền trả nợ.

Chạy đà

— To take a running start.

Cầu thủ đang chạy đà.

Souvent confondu avec

chạy vs cháy

Means 'to burn'. Differs only by the rising tone mark.

chạy vs chay

Means 'vegetarian'. Differs only by the lack of a tone mark.

chạy vs chảy

Means 'to flow' (for liquids). Differs by the dipping-rising tone mark.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Chạy đôn chạy đáo"

— To run here and there frantically to solve a problem.

Cô ấy chạy đôn chạy đáo lo viện phí.

neutral
"Chạy như bay"

— To run as fast as if flying.

Thấy mẹ về, nó chạy như bay ra đón.

informal
"Chạy như cờ lông công"

— To run around aimlessly or busily without much result.

Làm việc gì mà cứ chạy như cờ lông công thế?

informal
"Chạy quắn đít"

— To run in a huge hurry (vulgar/slang).

Sắp trễ rồi, chạy quắn đít lên!

slang
"Chạy trời không khỏi nắng"

— You can't escape fate/inevitability.

Đúng là chạy trời không khỏi nắng.

neutral
"Vừa ăn cướp vừa la làng"

— To commit a crime and then run around crying for help (to shift blame).

Hắn ta đúng là hạng vừa ăn cướp vừa la làng.

neutral
"Chạy vắt chân lên cổ"

— To run extremely fast (usually from fear or urgency).

Thấy cảnh sát, nó chạy vắt chân lên cổ.

informal
"Chạy tiếp sức"

— Relay race (also used for helping each other in a task).

Chúng ta sẽ làm việc theo kiểu chạy tiếp sức.

neutral
"Chạy marathon"

— To do something long and exhausting.

Kỳ thi này đúng là một cuộc chạy marathon.

neutral
"Chạy đường dài"

— Long-term commitment or strategy.

Kinh doanh là phải chạy đường dài.

neutral

Facile à confondre

chạy vs đi

Both involve movement.

'Đi' is walking or going generally; 'chạy' is specifically running or operating.

Tôi đi bộ (I walk) vs. Tôi chạy bộ (I jog).

chạy vs lái

Both used for vehicles.

'Lái' is the act of steering/driving; 'chạy' is the vehicle's movement.

Tôi lái xe (I drive) vs. Xe đang chạy (The car is moving).

chạy vs hoạt động

Both mean 'to work/function'.

'Hoạt động' is broader and more formal; 'chạy' is more literal or mechanical.

Máy đang chạy (The machine is on).

chạy vs phóng

Both mean moving fast.

'Phóng' is much faster, often reckless or with an engine.

Phóng xe máy (Speeding on a bike).

chạy vs trôi

Both used for time passing.

'Trôi' is drifting/passing slowly; 'chạy' is racing/passing quickly.

Thời gian trôi (Time passes) vs. Chạy đua với thời gian (Race against time).

Structures de phrases

A1

Tôi thích chạy.

Tôi thích chạy bộ vào buổi sáng.

A2

Xe đang chạy.

Xe buýt đang chạy trên đường phố.

B1

Tôi đang chạy deadline.

Tôi đang chạy deadline cho bài tập về nhà.

B2

Sản phẩm bán chạy.

Mặt hàng này bán rất chạy vào dịp Tết.

C1

Chạy đua với thời gian.

Chúng ta phải chạy đua với thời gian để hoàn thành.

C1

Chạy thận nhân tạo.

Bệnh nhân cần chạy thận ba lần một tuần.

C2

Chạy chức chạy quyền.

Xã hội cần lên án việc chạy chức chạy quyền.

C2

Chạy đôn chạy đáo.

Bố mẹ chạy đôn chạy đáo lo cho con cái.

Famille de mots

Noms

Verbes

Adjectifs

Apparenté

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Extremely high in daily conversation.

Erreurs courantes
  • Nước chạy → Nước chảy

    Water flows (chảy), it doesn't run with legs (chạy).

  • Tôi chạy xe đạp → Tôi đi xe đạp

    You 'go' or 'pedal' a bicycle, you don't 'run' it like a motor.

  • Chạy công ty → Điều hành công ty

    'Chạy' is too informal for managing a whole company.

  • Chạy bộ chó → Dắt chó đi dạo

    You can't 'run' a dog as a direct object; you lead it.

  • Phát âm 'cháy' → chạy

    Rising tone means 'fire/burn'; heavy tone means 'run'.

Astuces

Master the Heavy Tone

Imagine you are being punched in the stomach lightly while saying 'chay'—that sudden drop is the 'nặng' tone.

Compound Power

Learn 'chạy' with its common partners like 'bộ', 'xe', and 'deadline' to sound natural.

Continuous Action

Always use 'đang' before 'chạy' if the person or machine is currently in the act of running.

Social Hustle

Understand that 'chạy' in social contexts often implies urgency or using connections.

Tone Distinction

Train your ear to hear the difference between 'chạy' (run) and 'chảy' (flow).

Machine State

If a machine won't start, say 'Máy không chạy'—it's the most common way to report a failure.

Busy Bees

Use 'chạy đôn chạy đáo' when you want to describe someone who is extremely busy solving problems.

Tone Marks

Double-check the dot under 'chạy'. It's the most important part of the spelling.

Natural Speed

When speaking quickly, 'chạy' is often clipped short. Don't drag out the vowel.

Function vs. Movement

Remember: if it has an engine or legs and it's moving/working, 'chạy' is usually safe.

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'CHild' in 'MAY' (ch-ay) running outside because the weather is finally nice.

Association visuelle

Imagine a computer with legs running a marathon. This connects the 'physical run' and the 'machine run' meanings.

Word Web

chạy bộ chạy xe chạy máy chạy deadline chạy quảng cáo chạy trốn chạy đua chạy án

Défi

Try to use 'chạy' in three different ways today: one for exercise, one for a machine, and one for a task.

Origine du mot

Pure Vietnamese (Nôm) origin. It has been used for centuries to describe rapid movement.

Sens originel : Rapid bipedal movement of humans and animals.

Austroasiatic, Mon-Khmer branch, Vietic group.

Contexte culturel

Be careful using 'chạy chức' or 'chạy án' as they imply illegal or unethical behavior.

English speakers use 'run' for many things, but Vietnamese 'chạy' is even more common for 'hustling' or 'finding a way' through social systems.

Song: 'Chạy ngay đi' (Run now) by Sơn Tùng M-TP. Movie: 'Chạy án' (a famous TV series about crime and corruption). Proverb: 'Chạy trời không khỏi nắng'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports

  • vận động viên chạy
  • chạy marathon
  • đường chạy
  • giày chạy

Technology

  • chạy phần mềm
  • chạy ứng dụng
  • chạy code
  • hệ điều hành chạy

Business

  • bán chạy
  • chạy dự án
  • chạy quảng cáo
  • chạy chỉ tiêu

Daily Life

  • chạy bộ
  • chạy xe
  • chạy kịp giờ
  • chạy đi mua đồ

Medical

  • chạy thận
  • chạy máy trợ thở
  • chạy cấp cứu
  • chạy chữa

Amorces de conversation

"Bạn có thường xuyên đi chạy bộ không?"

"Tại sao máy tính của tôi không chạy được?"

"Dạo này bạn có đang phải chạy deadline không?"

"Sản phẩm nào đang bán chạy nhất ở cửa hàng này?"

"Bạn thích chạy bộ ở công viên hay ở phòng gym?"

Sujets d'écriture

Viết về thói quen chạy bộ của bạn vào buổi sáng.

Mô tả một lần bạn phải chạy thật nhanh để kịp giờ tàu hoặc xe buýt.

Kể về một dự án mà bạn đã phải chạy deadline rất vất vả.

Bạn nghĩ gì về việc mọi người luôn phải chạy đua với thời gian trong cuộc sống hiện đại?

Mô tả một chiếc máy cũ trong nhà bạn vẫn còn chạy tốt.

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

It is better to use 'quản lý' or 'điều hành'. 'Chạy' sounds informal or implies hustling.

In Southern Vietnam, yes. In the North, people prefer 'lái xe' or 'đi xe'.

No, use 'chảy'. 'Nước chảy' is the correct term for flowing water.

It means 'selling fast' or that a product is a 'best-seller'.

Use the compound 'chạy bộ'.

Yes, 'chạy trốn' or 'tháo chạy' means to run away or escape.

Yes, specifically 'chạy thận' for kidney dialysis.

It is a common slang for working hard to meet a deadline.

Yes, any animal that moves fast on its legs can 'chạy'.

No, Vietnamese verbs never change form. You just add particles like 'đang' or 'đã'.

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