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to love, to have affection for someone
Tôi thương em rất nhiều.
I love you very much.
Commonly used in Southern Vietnamese dialects to express romantic or familial love.
to pity, to feel sympathy for
Tôi thương cho nó vì nó mồ côi.
I feel sorry for him because he's an orphan.
Emphasizes emotional compassion rather than romantic love.
to miss someone dearly
Nhớ thương mẹ quá!
I miss mother so much!
Often used in poetry or emotional expressions; combines with 'nhớ' for emphasis.
'Thương' is widely used in Southern Vietnam to express romantic love, while Northerners often reserve it for family or pity. Be mindful of regional tone when speaking with locals.
Use 'thương' for deep emotional care (family, children, pets) or Southern-style romance. Use 'yêu' for general romantic love, especially in writing or formal contexts.
Native Vietnamese word derived from Proto-Vietic roots related to emotional attachment and care.
The word 'thương' is more emotionally nuanced than 'yêu' and often conveys tenderness, compassion, or familial affection. In Southern Vietnam, it's frequently used in romantic contexts, while in the North, 'yêu' is preferred for romantic love.