bò
Con bò đang ăn cỏ trong đồng.
The cow is eating grass in the field.
A large domesticated mammal with horns and cloven hooves, kept for milk or meat.
Nhà tôi nuôi ba con bò sữa.
My family raises three dairy cows.
Used as a general term for the animal, not specific breeds.
To move on all fours slowly; to crawl.
Em bé bò trên sàn nhà.
The baby is crawling on the floor.
Commonly used for infants or small animals.
Pro Tip
Distinguishing 'bò' and 'trâu'
'Bò' refers to cows, while 'trâu' refers to buffalo. In rural Vietnam, buffalo are often used for plowing, while cows are raised for milk or meat.
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *ɓoː, Proto-Mon-Khmer *ɓuː (cow, buffalo).
Usage Notes
In Vietnamese, 'bò' is the most common term for cow, while 'trâu' specifically refers to buffalo. The verb sense 'to crawl' is informal and context-dependent.