Tiếng Việt · Word Attested

lễ

[le˦ˀ˥]

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) ceremony, festival, festive day, holiday

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

nghi lễ, ngày lễ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora

Examples

lễ tốt nghiệpgraduation ceremony

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

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) etiquette, propriety, decorum, manners

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

nghi thức, phép tắc

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

đáp lễto reciprocate propriety

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) offering

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

lễ vật

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

mang lễ lên chùato bring offerings to the temple

trả lễto return [a supernatural being's favor[s]] with offerings

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(verb) to kowtow, to worship

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

làm lễ, cúng bái

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

Trước cửa chùa là con rùa to bằng đá, đội bát nhang để du khách thập phương thắp hương trước khi vào lễ Phật.In front of the temple's gate is a large stone turtle carrying an incense bowl for visitors from everywhere to burn their incenses before entering to worship the Buddha[s].

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Common questions

What does “lễ” mean?

(noun) ceremony, festival, festive day, holiday

Is “lễ” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.