Usage of 'chai' in Vietnamese (bottle)
'chai' means 'bottle' and is commonly used for water, beer, drinks, etc.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'chai' means 'bottle' and is commonly used for water, beer, drinks, etc.
English meanings
- bottle
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Tôi mua một chai nước.
I bought a bottle of water.
2
Anh ấy uống hai chai bia.
He drank two bottles of beer.
How to use it
'chai' functions both as a noun meaning 'bottle' and as a classifier for counting liquids or beverages by the bottle.
- Used for bottled drinks or liquids.
- Can be used as a noun or a classifier.
- Cup-served drinks use 'ly' or 'cốc' instead.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Similar to English 'a bottle of water', Vietnamese 'một chai nước' is very close, but Vietnamese does not add an extra classifier like 'cái'.
Common mistakes
một cái chai nước
một chai nước
No need to add 'cái' when using 'chai' as a classifier.
một chai cà phê đá trong ly
một ly cà phê đá
Cup-served coffee uses 'ly', not 'chai'.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'chai'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'chai'?
- Tôi mua một chai nước.
- một cái chai nước
- một chai cà phê đá trong ly
Answer: Tôi mua một chai nước.
Explanation: Used for bottled drinks or liquids.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mua một ____ nước.
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Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Tôi mua một ____ nước.
Answer: Tôi mua một chai nước.
Explanation: Used for bottled drinks or liquids.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "I bought a bottle of water." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "I bought a bottle of water." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Tôi mua một chai nước.
Explanation: Use chai in the same structure as the example.
True or false
'chai' can replace all classifiers like the English 'a' or 'an'.
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True or false
'chai' can replace all classifiers like the English 'a' or 'an'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese 'cái' is common, but many nouns have more natural or precise classifiers.
Correction
Correct this sentence: một cái chai nước
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: một cái chai nước
Answer: một chai nước
Explanation: No need to add 'cái' when using 'chai' as a classifier.