chơi chữ
[t͡ɕəːj˧˧ t͡ɕɨ˦ˀ˥]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to play on words; to make wordplay; to skillfully make puns
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Đó là một cách chơi chữ.This is a pun.
Tatoeba sentence #9559499 (CC BY 2.0 FR, tatoeba.org, retrieved 2026-07-31)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(noun) wordplay
Equivalents & related
Common questions
What does “chơi chữ” mean?
(verb) to play on words; to make wordplay; to skillfully make puns
Is “chơi chữ” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“play on words” (English) — near equivalent.