bạn bè
Tôi có nhiều bạn bè trên khắp thế giới.
I have many friends all over the world.
People with whom one has a bond of mutual affection and support.
Bạn bè thật sự sẽ luôn ở bên cạnh nhau trong lúc khó khăn.
True friends will always be by your side in difficult times.
Cô ấy chia sẻ mọi chuyện với bạn bè thân thiết.
She shares everything with her close friends.
Commonly used to refer to a group of friends or social connections. Can imply a close or casual relationship.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Common phrase structure
In Vietnamese, 'bạn bè' is often used after a possessive pronoun (e.g., 'của tôi' = my) to specify ownership: 'bạn bè của tôi' (my friends).
Word Origin
Compound of 'bạn' (friend) + 'bè' (companion, friend). Both words derive from Proto-Vietic *ɓaːnʔ (friend, companion).
Usage Notes
Used broadly in both formal and informal contexts. Often appears in greetings, social invitations, or expressions of gratitude. 'Bạn bè' can be pluralized as 'những người bạn bè' or 'các bạn bè' for emphasis.