thìa
/tʰiə˧˧/noun★Intermediate
informal
A small, flat utensil used for scooping or serving food, often made of metal or plastic.
Anh dùng thìa để lấy một ít gạo.
He uses a spoon to take a bit of rice.
💡
In Vietnamese, 'thìa' is commonly used for small spoons, while 'muỗng' refers to larger spoons or ladles.
Collocations
thìa bạcsilver spoonthìa tràtea spoon
Synonyms
Related Phrases
thìa bạcphrase
a silver spoon, often used metaphorically to refer to someone born into wealth
💡Pro Tip
Dialectal Differences
In Northern Vietnam, 'muỗng' is more commonly used for spoons, while 'thìa' is more prevalent in the South.
⚡Gold Rule
Usage Context
'Thìa' is typically used for small spoons, while 'muỗng' can refer to larger spoons or ladles.
📖Word Origin
Derived from the Sino-Vietnamese word 'thìa' (匙), meaning 'spoon' or 'ladle'.
📝Usage Notes
'Thìa' is often used in informal contexts, especially in Southern Vietnamese dialects. In Northern Vietnamese, 'muỗng' is more commonly used for all types of spoons.
Word Breakdown
thìa
spoon
root✎ Noted on May 2, 2026VI → EN