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bố
/ʔɓo˧˩˧/
father
Bố tôi là bác sĩ.
My father is a doctor.
neutral
A male parent.
Đây là bố của tôi.
This is my father.
Bố em đang làm việc ở nhà máy.
My dad is working at the factory.
Used in both formal and informal contexts. In Southern Vietnam, 'ba' is more common, while 'bố' is widely used in Northern Vietnam.
informal
Term of address for an older man, similar to 'sir' or 'uncle' in English.
Bố ơi, cho cháu mượn tiền ạ!
Dad, can I borrow some money?
Commonly used by children or younger people to address an older male, regardless of relation.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Regional Variation
In Southern Vietnam, 'ba' is often used instead of 'bố' to mean 'father'. For example, 'Ba tôi' (my father) is common in the South, while 'Bố tôi' is standard in the North.
Gold Rule
Respectful Address
Use 'bố' when referring to your own father or addressing an older male in a respectful manner. Do not use it for strangers unless they are significantly older and you have established a familial or close relationship.
Word Origin
From Proto-Vietic *pɔːʔ, related to Proto-Mon-Khmer *p(ɔ)ʔ (father). Cognate with Muong *pố and other Austroasiatic languages.
Usage Notes
In Vietnamese culture, 'bố' is a respectful term for one's father. The word is used regardless of the speaker's age. In some Northern dialects, 'bố' is the standard term, while in Southern dialects, 'ba' is more prevalent. Avoid using 'bố' to address someone outside your family unless they explicitly invite you to do so.
Word Breakdown
bố
father
rootTừ Điển Việt Anh