That taxi driver just screamed something at another car, and now everyone's laughing except you. Awkward, right? Vietnamese curse words aren't taught in language apps, but you can literally hear them everywhere. I had no clue what they were laughing about until my language partner explained later what "đụ má" meant in this Asian language. My shock must've shown on my face because he laughed harder than the taxi passengers.
In this post, I’ll introduce you to 10 real Vietnamese insults that actual people use—from stuff you can say to friends to words that might get you kicked out of a restaurant. You’ll learn which Vietnamese swear words to recognize when you hear them and which ones to never, ever try unless you want to start a fight.
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Why Learning Curse Words Matter
Learning Vietnamese curse words might seem weird or inappropriate, but there's a good reason language schools don't teach them—and why you should learn them anyway. The truth is that Asian languages like Vietnamese, Japanese, or Thai have sharper divides between polite speech and casual speech than English does. The gap between textbook Vietnamese and street Vietnamese is huge.
Curse words live in that gap.
Just remember that learning these words doesn’t mean using them. Think of them as recognition vocabulary (you know and understand their cultural weight), not speaking vocabulary. Vietnamese people don’t expect foreigners to curse in their language, and many will be shocked if you do.
Vietnamese Curse Words
I've split these Vietnamese curse words into three groups to make them easier to learn. Some are milder insults you might hear between friends joking around. Others are serious swear words that could start an argument (or worse).
Vietnamese Insults
These words sting but won't necessarily start a fight. You'll hear them when someone's annoyed or teasing friends online. My roommate in Ho Chi Minh City taught me these first because they're "safer" to know—though still not great for formal situations!
1. Đồ ngốc - "Stupid person"
This mild insult calls someone stupid or foolish. Friends use it to tease each other after small mistakes, like forgetting keys or missing a turn while driving. I've heard college students throw this around playfully, but it can still hurt feelings if used with strangers.
2. Ngu thế! - "You're so stupid!"
A step up from đồ ngốc, this phrase directly tells someone they're being stupid. The "thế" adds emphasis. My language partner says teenagers use this all the time with friends, but adults only use it when truly frustrated with someone's actions.
3. Dở hơi - "Crazy/weird"
Literally "half-air," this calls someone mentally unstable or acting bizarre. It's milder than calling someone completely crazy. When my friend's brother bought an expensive motorbike he couldn't afford, his family called him "dở hơi" for weeks.
4. Đồ mặt dày - "Thick-faced person"
This creative insult describes someone with no shame or social awareness. "Thick-faced" means you don't feel embarrassment when you should. When a guy kept hitting on my friend after multiple rejections, she muttered this under her breath.
5. Chết tiệt - "Damn it"
More of an expression than a direct insult, people say this when frustrated or annoyed. It's like saying "damn it" in English. I dropped my phone in Hanoi and heard myself say "chết tiệt" before even thinking about it—my Vietnamese friends were impressed!
Vietnamese Swear Words
Ready for the heavy hitters? These words pack a serious punch in Vietnamese. I've heard them during street arguments, major verbal disputes, and once when someone spilled beer on another guy at a busy bar. My Vietnamese friends warned me never to use these unless I wanted serious trouble.
1. Đụ má / Địt mẹ - The F-word
This is the Vietnamese equivalent of the F-word in English, and it's extremely offensive. "Địt mẹ" is the harsher version, while "đụ má" is slightly toned down but still very crude. Young people sometimes abbreviate it as "ĐM" in text messages. A street vendor screamed this when a motorbike knocked over her cart—the whole street went quiet.
2. Vãi lồn - "Holy sh*t"
"Vãi" means to spurt or ejaculate, and "lồn" refers to female genitalia. Together, they express extreme surprise or frustration. My friend explained that younger Vietnamese sometimes use "vãi" with other words (like "vãi nồi" - "spurting pan") to make it less offensive while keeping the emphasis.
3. Đéo - Emphatic "no"
This is a rude, aggressive way to say "no" or "hell no." It can stand alone or appear before a verb for emphasis. My taxi driver once muttered "đéo đi được" when stuck in Hanoi traffic—meaning he "f-ing couldn't move" through the jam.
4. Chó chết - "Dead dog"
Comparing someone to a dead dog is seriously offensive in Vietnamese culture. This insult gets thrown around during heated arguments when someone really wants to hurt feelings. I once saw two men nearly fight after one called the other this at a beer hall.
5. Con đĩ / Thằng chó đẻ - "Btch / Son of a btch"
These gender-specific insults are extremely offensive. "Con đĩ" targets women, while "thằng chó đẻ" (literally "son of a dog") is used for men. They're rarely used jokingly and almost always signal serious anger.
Offensive Vietnamese Curse Words
The following expressions go beyond standard curse words into potentially harmful territory. This list is purely for recognition purposes so you can understand uncomfortable situations if they arise.
| Vietnamese Term | Why It's Problematic |
|---|---|
| Tàu Khựa | Ethnic slur similar to using the C-word in English |
| Úc thòi lòi | Racist term making fun of Western eye shape |
| Tây đen | Disrespectful term for Black people |
| Khoai tây | Used to mock Westerners/white people |
| Oa Khấu | Derogatory term for Japanese people |
| Mập như heo | Body-shaming insult that can start fights |
| Đồ con hoang | Attacks someone's family and legitimacy |
| Mẹ kiếp | Strong curse but slightly milder than đụ má |
Vietnamese speakers may sometimes use intentional misspellings to soften curse words in writing or public settings. For example, "đệt" instead of "đụ" or "đậu xanh rau má" (mung bean and pennywort - foods with similar initials) instead of "đụ má mày" (f*** your mother). These softened versions are still considered rude but less shocking in certain contexts like social media.
North and South Vietnam also use different terms and pronunciations for similar insults. Northerners tend to say "địt mẹ" while Southerners prefer "đụ má" for the same meaning. Similarly, the North uses "điếm" while the South uses "đĩ" to mean "prostitute" when insulting someone.
Better Vietnamese Alternatives When You’re Angry
Need to express frustration without offending everyone? Try these milder Vietnamese phrases instead:
- "Trời ơi!" - "Oh my god!" - perfect for mild surprise or frustration
- "Thôi đi!" - "Stop it!" - firm but not offensive
- "Đủ rồi!" - "That's enough!" - shows you're serious without cursing
- "Bực quá!" - "So annoying/frustrating!" - expresses anger politely
During a power outage in my apartment building, my Vietnamese neighbor taught me to say "Bực quá!" instead of the curse words I was tempted to use when the elevator stopped working.
How To Respond When Someone Curses At You In Vietnamese
Ever been on the receiving end of Vietnamese swear words? Here's what to do. When a street vendor called me "đồ ngốc" after I tried bargaining too low, my Vietnamese friend taught me these responses:
- Stay calm and walk away - Most Vietnamese people don't expect foreigners to understand their curses, so sometimes playing dumb works best.
- "Xin lỗi" (sorry) - A quick apology can defuse tension if you accidentally caused offense.
- "Tôi hiểu tiếng Việt" - "I understand Vietnamese" often stops people mid-curse when they realize you know what they're saying.
Explore The World Of Asian Languages With Lingopie
Vietnamese curse words add color to your language skills, but they're just one small piece of this beautiful language. The real fun starts when you can chat with locals, order street food, and catch jokes in Vietnamese.
Ready to try other Asian languages? Lingopie has you covered with three amazing options that share cool features with Vietnamese: Japanese, Korean, and Chinese!
Japanese work a lot like Vietnamese people, and they have different levels of politeness. Just like Vietnamese have formal and casual ways of saying things, Japanese changes completely depending on who you’re talking to. When you watch Japanese shows on Lingopie, you’ll notice characters switch between polite “-masu” forms and casual slang!
Chinese uses tones exactly like Vietnamese, making it a natural next step. Four Chinese tones will feel familiar if you can handle six Vietnamese tones. Plus, many Vietnamese words came from Chinese centuries ago—learn one, and you get bonus words in the other!
Korean mixes politeness levels similar to Vietnamese with an easy-to-learn Hangul alphabet. The Korean writing system takes just a few hours to learn, unlike Chinese characters or Japanese kanji. Plus, K-dramas use everyday language that helps you pick up real expressions fast—from basic greetings to those satisfying curse words!
So what are you waiting for? Start with either language on Lingopie today and learn through movies and TV shows!
FAQ
Does Vietnamese have curse words?
Yes, Vietnamese has a rich array of curse words ranging from mild insults to extremely offensive phrases. Vietnamese curse words reflect cultural values and social norms unique to Vietnam. Some are regional, with different versions in North versus South Vietnam. The strongest ones target family (especially mothers), while milder ones call someone stupid or crazy. Young Vietnamese often soften curses in text messages by abbreviating them (like "ĐM" instead of writing out the full phrase).
What does du ma mean in Vietnamese?
"Đụ má" (du ma or douma) is one of the most offensive curse words in Vietnamese, equivalent to the F-word in English but directed at someone's mother. It's basically the Vietnamese version of "motherf***er." The word "đụ" means to have sex, while "má" means mother. Young Vietnamese sometimes use a softer version by abbreviating it as "ĐM" in text messages. The northern Vietnamese dialect often uses "địt mẹ" instead, which has the identical meaning but sounds slightly different.
What is CK in Vietnamese slang?
"CK" in Vietnamese online slang stands for "chuyển khoản" (bank transfer) or "chồng" (husband). It's not a curse word but common internet shorthand. Young Vietnamese use tons of abbreviations in texts and social media—similar to how English speakers use "BRB" or "LOL." If you saw "CK" in an offensive context, it might have been part of another phrase or a typo for "cặc" (a vulgar word for male genitalia), which is a common Vietnamese curse word.
