bao
Tôi bỏ quần áo vào bao tải.
I put the clothes into a bag.
A container made of flexible material, used for carrying or storing items.
Anh ấy mang theo một bao giấy đựng đồ ăn.
He carried a paper bag of food.
Commonly used for shopping bags, gift bags, or storage bags.
A bundle or package of items wrapped or tied together.
Cô ấy cầm một bao sách nặng.
She carried a heavy bundle of books.
Often used for books, documents, or other small items.
To cover or enclose something, especially for protection or storage.
Hãy bao gói quà cẩn thận.
Wrap the gift carefully.
Used in the context of packaging or protecting items.
A protective covering or sheath.
Con tem được bao bọc bởi lớp keo.
The stamp is enclosed by a layer of glue.
Often used for items like stamps, documents, or products.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'bao' and 'bảo'
'Bao' (with a falling tone) refers to bags, bundles, or wrapping, while 'bảo' (with a high-rising tone) means to protect, defend, or preserve. Pay attention to the tone marks to avoid confusion.
Gold Rule
Tone Matters
In Vietnamese, 'bao' (包) and 'bảo' (保) are homophones but have entirely different meanings. Always check the diacritics to ensure correct usage.
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *paːw, related to Proto-Mon-Khmer *paːw. Cognate with Muong *pao and possibly with Thai ปลา (plaa, 'fish') in a broader Austroasiatic context, though the connection is debated.
Usage Notes
The word 'bao' is versatile and can refer to physical containers or abstract concepts like 'how much/many' (bao nhiêu). In northern Vietnam, 'bao' is often used for bags, while in the south, 'túi' may be more common. The verb 'bao' (to wrap) is frequently used in daily life for packaging or covering items.