xoay
[swaj˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to turn; to swivel
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
xoay ốc vào chốtto lead a screw in a bolt
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
(verb) to take pains
Register: informal
Examples
Nhà nó nghèo, phải xoay đủ mọi nghề tìm kế sinh nhai.Because the boy was born with poverty, he must take pains to make a slightest living with dozens of occupations.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(verb) to manage to obtain something scarce
Register: informal
Examples
Người ta xếp hàng dài cho buổi hoà nhạc, tao xoay vé mãi mới được đấy.A huge number of attendants were lining up for the concert, but I managed to take hold of the tickets at last.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 4
Meaning · English
(noun) Dialium cochinchinense
Register: informal
Common questions
What does “xoay” mean?
(verb) to turn; to swivel
Is “xoay” formal or informal?
xoay is generally informal.