an
Anh ấy sống trong cảnh an bình.
He lives in peace.
peace; tranquility; calmness
Cả gia đình sống trong cảnh an ổn.
The whole family lives in peace and stability.
Tôi mong muốn một cuộc sống an nhàn.
I long for a life of peace and leisure.
Commonly used in contexts of mental or social peace, stability, or freedom from disturbance.
to eat
Tôi an cơm trưa rồi.
I ate lunch already.
Informal, often used in daily conversation. The formal verb is 'ăn'.
safe; secure
Đường phố an toàn vào ban ngày.
The streets are safe during the day.
Used to describe safety or security in general contexts.
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'an' (peace) vs. 'ăn' (eat)
In writing, 'an' (peace) is written with a flat tone (a), while 'ăn' (eat) has a rising tone (á). In speech, context usually clarifies the meaning.
Gold Rule
When to use 'an' (peace)
Use 'an' in formal or literary contexts to describe peace, tranquility, or safety. Avoid using it in casual speech.
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *ʔaːn, ultimately from Proto-Mon-Khmer *ʔaːn ('peace'). The verb sense 'to eat' is unrelated and comes from Proto-Vietic *ʔaːn ('to eat').
Usage Notes
The noun 'an' is formal and literary. In daily speech, 'yên bình' or 'bình an' are more common. The verb 'an' is very informal and regional; standard Vietnamese uses 'ăn'.