bố

/ɓo˧˩/
nounBeginner
informal

Father; dad

Bố của tôi là người rất chăm chỉ.

My father is a very hardworking person.

Bố, con có thể đi chơi với bạn bè không?

Dad, can I go out with my friends?

💡

Used informally to refer to one's own father or someone else's father in a familiar context.

Collocations

bố mẹparentsbố confather and child

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

bố đẻphrase
biological father
bố nuôiphrase
adoptive father

💡Pro Tip

Formal vs. Informal Usage

Use 'bố' when speaking informally to or about one's father. In more formal or respectful contexts, 'cha' is often preferred.

Gold Rule

Addressing Fathers

When addressing someone else's father, it is polite to use 'ông' (sir) or 'bác' (uncle) instead of 'bố' unless you are very close to the family.

📖Word Origin

From Middle Vietnamese *bố*, possibly related to Proto-Vietic *bɔːʔ (father).

📝Usage Notes

In Vietnamese, 'bố' is a more informal and affectionate term for 'father' compared to 'cha'. It is commonly used by children when speaking to or about their father.

Word Breakdown

bố
father
root
Noted on May 2, 2026VIEN