Master Vietnamese Gen Z Slang with These 14 Cool Phrases

From 'Cà Khịa' to 'SML': 14 Vietnamese Slang Phrases Gen Z Loves

Think you’ve got Vietnamese down because you can say “Xin chào” and “Cảm ơn”? Well, hold up! If you want to vibe with Vietnamese Gen Z, you’ve got to tap into their unique slang. Influenced by internet culture, memes, and a fusion of Vietnamese and English, Gen Z in Vietnam has created a fun, fresh language. Whether you’re in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or just scrolling through Vietnamese TikTok, their slang is a must-know to stay in the loop.

Ready to talk like a true Vietnamese Gen Z? We’ve got you covered with 14 must-know slang phrases that’ll instantly level up your Vietnamese game. From funny phrases to trendy sayings, these words will help you fit right in. Let’s dive into the coolest Vietnamese slang that Gen Z is using right now!

Talk Like a Vietnamese Gen Z: Top Slang Guide

1. "Cà khịa"

Cà khịa is all about playful teasing or lighthearted sarcasm. It’s not meant to be serious but rather to poke fun at someone in a friendly way. Vietnamese Gen Z uses it to describe low-key roasting or friendly banter between friends.

Pronunciation: “Ka-kee-ah”
How to use it: "Don’t take it seriously, I’m just cà khịa!"
In short: Use cà khịa to playfully tease or roast someone.

2. "GATO"

GATO stands for "ghen ăn tức ở," which means being jealous or envious of someone. Vietnamese Gen Z often uses GATO to describe lighthearted jealousy, especially when someone is doing well or has something you wish you had.

Pronunciation: “G-A-T-O”
How to use it: "She got a new phone? GATO quá!"
In short: Use GATO to describe being playfully jealous or envious of someone’s success.

3. "Xịn sò"

This phrase means something is fancy, luxurious, or top-notch. If you’re talking about high-quality items or experiences, xịn sò is the way to describe them. It’s like saying something is “fancy” or “premium.”

Pronunciation: “Seen saw”
How to use it: "That restaurant is so xịn sò, we should go!"
In short: Use xịn sò to describe something that’s luxurious or impressive.

4. "Bựa"

Bựa is slang for something silly or absurd, often used in a humorous way. It’s the go-to word for describing a situation, meme, or joke that’s ridiculously funny or outrageous.

Pronunciation: “Boo-ah”
How to use it: "That meme is so bựa, I can’t stop laughing!"
In short: Use bựa to describe something that’s silly or hilariously absurd.

5. "Dỗi"

This word is used when someone is acting pouty or sulking, often in a playful way. Vietnamese Gen Z uses dỗi to describe someone being a little dramatic or seeking attention because they’re upset.

Pronunciation: “Zoy”
How to use it: "Are you still dỗi because I forgot your birthday?"
In short: Use dỗi to talk about someone who’s sulking or being playful about being upset.

6. "Trẻ trâu"

Literally translating to “buffalo boy,” trẻ trâu is slang for someone who’s acting immature or childish. It’s often used by Vietnamese Gen Z to call out friends or online trolls for acting immaturely.

Pronunciation: “Cheh chow”
How to use it: "Stop acting like a trẻ trâu and grow up!"
In short: Use trẻ trâu to describe someone being immature or acting like a brat.

7. "SML"

SML stands for “sấp mặt lợn,” meaning “faceplant like a pig.” It’s a funny way to express total failure or embarrassment. Vietnamese Gen Z uses it when they want to describe a situation where they totally messed up or failed hard.

Pronunciation: “S-M-L”
How to use it: "I tried cooking but totally SML’d the recipe."
In short: Use SML to describe a major fail or embarrassing moment.

8. "Bình thường thôi"

This phrase means “just normal” or “nothing special.” Vietnamese Gen Z uses bình thường thôi to downplay something or describe it as not a big deal. It’s a casual way to say, “It’s whatever.”

Pronunciation: “Bing thuong thoy”
How to use it: "That movie was bình thường thôi, nothing special."
In short: Use bình thường thôi to describe something average or not exciting.

9. "Tán tỉnh"

Tán tỉnh is slang for flirting, but it’s often used humorously or to describe someone who’s trying to win someone over in a playful way. Vietnamese Gen Z uses it a lot when talking about flirting or teasing someone they like.

Pronunciation: “Tahn ting”
How to use it: "He’s been tán tỉnh her all day at the café!"
In short: Use tán tỉnh to talk about someone flirting or being playful with romantic intentions.

10. "Xàm"

Xàm is used to describe something that’s pointless, boring, or just plain nonsense. It’s perfect for calling out irrelevant comments or things that don’t make any sense.

Pronunciation: “Sam”
How to use it: "That joke was so xàm, I didn’t get it."
In short: Use xàm to describe something that’s meaningless or makes no sense.

11. "Crush"

Just like in English, crush is used by Vietnamese Gen Z to describe someone they have romantic feelings for. Whether it’s someone they admire from afar or are actively flirting with, crush is the go-to word for young love.

Pronunciation: “Krush”
How to use it: "I’ve had a crush on him since last year!"
In short: Use crush to describe someone you’re romantically interested in.

12. "Cày"

Cày literally means “plow,” but in slang, it means to work super hard or grind through something. It’s commonly used by students talking about studying intensely or gamers who are grinding in a game for hours.

Pronunciation: “Cai”
How to use it: "I’ve been càying all night for this exam."
In short: Use cày to describe working hard or grinding through something.

13. "Bóc phốt"

Bóc phốt is slang for exposing someone, especially online. Vietnamese Gen Z uses this when someone is called out publicly for their bad behavior or when drama is revealed. It’s the equivalent of “spilling the tea” or “calling someone out.”

Pronunciation: “Bawk fot”
How to use it: "Did you see the latest bóc phốt on TikTok?"
In short: Use bóc phốt to describe exposing drama or calling someone out.

14. "Căng"

Căng means “tense” or “intense,” and Vietnamese Gen Z uses it to describe a situation that’s stressful, awkward, or highly charged. It’s perfect for talking about drama or moments where the tension is high.

Pronunciation: “Cahng”
How to use it: "That argument between them was so căng!"
In short: Use căng to describe a tense or dramatic situation.

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Now that you’ve got these 14 Vietnamese Gen Z slang phrases under your belt, you’re ready to dive into conversations like a local! Whether you’re chatting with friends, scrolling social media, or just soaking up Vietnamese youth culture, these phrases will help you keep up with the coolest trends. From joking around with cà khịa to describing intense situations with căng, you’ve got the tools to master Vietnamese Gen Z lingo. So go ahead and start using them—you’ll be speaking like a pro in no time!

Keep following Woke Waves Magazine for more slang guides and the latest insights into global youth culture!

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