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ban
/baːn˧/
board
Tôi mua một cái bàn gỗ mới.
I bought a new wooden board.
formal
A flat, long, rigid piece of material, typically rectangular, used for supporting objects or as a surface for writing.
Cái bàn này đủ rộng để đặt máy tính.
This board is wide enough to place a computer.
Commonly used for furniture (e.g., dining table, desk) or surfaces (e.g., blackboard, whiteboard).
formal
A group of people assembled for a specific purpose, such as a committee or council.
Ban giám đốc đã họp vào sáng nay.
The board of directors met this morning.
Often used in organizational contexts (e.g., ban quản lý, ban giám khảo).
formal
To prohibit or forbid someone from doing something.
Cô giáo đã ban học sinh khỏi lớp.
The teacher banned the student from the class.
Less common than the noun sense; often used in legal or formal contexts.
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'bàn' and 'bán'
Remember: 'bàn' (board) has a flat, horizontal shape, while 'bán' (to sell) involves a transaction. Use context to differentiate.
Word Origin
From Middle Vietnamese 'ban', from Old Vietnamese 'bàn', ultimately from Proto-Vietic *ɓaːnʔ, related to Proto-Mon-Khmer *ɓaːnʔ ('board, plank').
Usage Notes
1. 'Bàn' as a noun is countable; use 'cái bàn' for furniture. 2. In modern Vietnamese, 'bàn' is rarely used as a verb outside formal contexts. 3. Avoid confusion with 'bán' (to sell) or 'băn' (to weave).
Từ Điển Việt Anh