Definition

1. Noun (Informal):
   • A pack (of cigarettes): A small, rectangular container, typically made of paper or cardboard, holding a standard number of cigarettes (usually 20).

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Anh mua cho tôi một tút thuốc lá. (Buy me a pack of cigarettes.)
  • Chỉ còn một điếu trong tút thôi. (There's only one cigarette left in the pack.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "tút" is almost exclusively used in informal, colloquial Northern Vietnamese speech. In formal contexts or in Southern Vietnam, "bao" is the more common term for a pack of cigarettes.

Variants and Related Words

• Bao thuốc lá (n): The standard and more formal term for a pack of cigarettes.
  • Anh ấy lấy một bao thuốc lá từ trong túi. (He took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket.)

Synonyms

• Pack: A small container or parcel, especially of cigarettes.
• Carton: A larger box containing multiple packs (e.g., a carton of cigarettes). Note: "Tút" specifically refers to a single pack, not a carton.

Notes on Usage

• "Tút" is a slang term derived from the French word "touffe" (meaning a clump or bundle) or possibly "tube", reflecting Vietnam's colonial linguistic history. Its usage is considered casual.