tiền nước

Khách hàng để lại tiền nước trên bàn sau khi uống cà phê.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • Tip / Gratuity: An extra, voluntary sum of money given to a service worker (e.g., a waiter, driver, porter) in addition to the official bill or fee, as a token of appreciation for good service. This is a common colloquial term in Vietnamese, equivalent to "pourboire" in French.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Hóa đơn là 300 nghìn, chúng ta để thêm 50 nghìn tiền nước nhé. (The bill is 300,000 VND, let's leave an extra 50,000 VND as a tip.)
  • Anh tài xế rất nhiệt tình, tôi đã cho anh ấy tiền nước. (The driver was very helpful, so I gave him a tip.)
  • Ở quán này không bắt buộc phải trả tiền nước. (At this restaurant, tipping is not mandatory.)

Advanced Usage

• The phrase originates from the idea of money given specifically for a drink ("nước") for the service person. It is a culturally embedded practice, and while voluntary, it is often expected in service industries.

Variants and Related Words

• Tiền bo (n): A direct loanword for "tip," commonly used, especially among younger generations.
  • Tôi quên không chuẩn bị tiền bo. (I forgot to prepare tip money.)
• Tiền tip (n): Another direct loanword for "tip."
• Tiền thưởng (n): Bonus or reward money. This can be used in a broader context beyond direct service, such as a work bonus.

Synonyms

• Tip: A small sum of money given for a service.
• Gratuity: A more formal term for a tip.
• Pourboire: The French term for tip, from which the concept is derived.

Related Idioms

• Để tiền nước: To leave a tip.
  • Khách hàng hài lòng và đã để lại tiền nước trên bàn. (The satisfied customer left a tip on the table.)