Tiếng Việt · Word Candidate

lệ

[le˧˨ʔ]

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) tears (drop of clear salty liquid from the eyes)

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

giọt nước mắt

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

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

Examples

giọt lệa tear(drop)

♂: Lệ hoen ướt khóe mi cay. Trong lòng anh vẫn luôn chung tình, Chờ ngày mai, ánh nắng lên xua tan băng giá.♂: Tears wetted the hot corners of my lids. I've always remained fully devoted, Waiting for tomorrow, when sunshine will thaw out this frosty ice.

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) example

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

ví dụ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

lệ nhưfor example

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) rule

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

quy tắc

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

phép vua thua lệ làngeven the monarch's laws lose to the village's rules

Làng có lệ ấy từ xưa.The village has had that rule since ancient times.

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(verb) to fear; to be afraid

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

sợ hãi

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Common questions

What does “lệ” mean?

(noun) tears (drop of clear salty liquid from the eyes)

Is “lệ” formal or informal?

lệ is generally formal.