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vịnh biển
/vḭɲˀ ɓiə̯n/
bay
Chúng tôi đang ngắm vịnh biển vào buổi hoàng hôn.
We are admiring the bay at sunset.
formal
A coastal inlet of the sea, partially enclosed by land, typically smaller than a gulf.
Vịnh Hạ Long là một trong những vịnh biển đẹp nhất thế giới.
Ha Long Bay is one of the most beautiful bays in the world.
Commonly used in geography and travel contexts.
Collocations
Pro Tip
Avoid confusion with 'vịnh' alone
'Vịnh' alone can mean 'bay' or 'gulf', but 'vịnh biển' specifically refers to a bay of the sea, not a river or lake.
Gold Rule
Geographical context
Always use 'vịnh biển' for sea bays. For river bays, use 'vịnh sông'.
Word Origin
The term 'vịnh' comes from Sino-Vietnamese 'vịnh' (灣), meaning 'bay' or 'gulf', and 'biển' means 'sea'. Combined, it literally means 'sea bay'.
Usage Notes
Used primarily in geographical and travel contexts. Avoid using for rivers or lakes.
Word Breakdown
vịnh
bay or gulf
rootbiển
sea
rootTừ Điển Việt Anh