đời
[ʔɗəːj˨˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) a lifetime; compare cuộc sống (activities in life or daily life)
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
trọn đờiall of one's life
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(noun) generation (of people)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) the world of the living, the mortal plane
Examples
trên đờiin this world
Gần hai mươi năm sống trên đời, đây là lần thứ hai anh khóc,[…]In the about twenty years of his life in this world, this was the second time he cried, […]
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 4
Meaning · English
(classifier) indicates a phase of life
Examples
Cô lấy hai đời chồng.She married twice.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “đời” mean?
(noun) a lifetime; compare cuộc sống (activities in life or daily life)
Is “đời” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.