Tuttle Concise Vietnamese Dictionary: Vietnamese-English English-Vietnamese

By Phan Van Giuong

Tuttle Concise Vietnamese Dictionary is the most up-to-date compact Vietnamese dictionary available today.

It is designed for English speakers who are studying the Vietnamese language, traveling to Vietnam or using the language on a daily basis to interact with Vietnamese speakers. It has both Vietnamese to English and English to Vietnamese sections, with enough depth that it may also be used by Vietnamese speakers who are learning or using English. Its depth makes it a great way to learn Vietnamese.

Divided into two parts--Vietnamese-English and English-Vietnamese--this concise dictionary has a total of 25,000 entries. The entries given within each section include all everyday words and expressions used in educational, cultural and tourism contexts in Vietnam today. The entries give core information about:

• Parts of speech of the headwords.
• Useful meanings, common collocations, idiomatic expressions and sample sentences.
• Vietnamese loanwords, many from French, list the original source word as well as alternate Vietnamese words with the same meaning.
• English entries provide additional information such as alternate British or American spellings, singular and plural forms, and irregular verb forms.

Contemporary internet, computer and mobile phone terms are included, making this dictionary invaluable everyday use. A guide to Vietnamese pronunciation and spelling, and other grammar pointers and explanations are also included. The Tuttle Concise Vietnamese Dictionary is a compact and comprehensive tool for successful language learning.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
• Release date: Feb 11, 2014
• ISBN: 9781462914173

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CONTENTS

Introduction

How To Use This Dictionary

A Guide to Vietnamese Pronunciation

Vietnamese–English

A

AÊ

AÂ

B

C

D

Ñ

E

EÂ

G

H

I

K

L

M

N

O

OÂ

Ô

P

Q

R

S

T

U

Ö

V

X

Y

English–Vietnamese

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

X

Y

Z

Introduction

The Vietnamese language is part of the Austro-Asiatic family of languages. In the early development of the language, Vietnamese scholars initially used Chinese characters for its official written Vietnamese language. The influx of missionaries from Europe resulted in the romanized form of the language in the 17th century—one that used diacritics to differentiate tones in the language. The use of diacritics became fully assimilated in Vietnamese in the 20th century.

There are about 84 million people in Vietnam and another three million people in other parts of the world who speak Vietnamese.

The English language is the first language for approximately 400 million people residing in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. It is also the second language for approximately 600 million people, especially from the former British colonies in Africa, Asia and the Commonwealth, and its use in the business, educational, professional and communications spheres makes it an almost universal language. Many countries and international organizations use English as their official language. With the proliferation of the Internet, it has also become the common language for Internet users.

In the last fifty years, there have been so many changes in both the English and Vietnamese languages in all aspects of life. New terms have been invented to meet the development of society, especially in media and communications. The demand for an inexpensive and up-to-date Vietnamese-English/English-Vietnamese dictionary has grown dramatically in recent years.

We are confident that with its 25,000 entries for every aspect of daily living, the Tuttle Concise Vietnamese Dictionary will become an essential tool for English-speaking users as well as Vietnamese who are learning the English language.

Phan Vaên Giöôõng

How To Use This Dictionary

This dictionary is in two parts: a Vietnamese-English section and an English-Vietnamese section. The entries in each section are arranged alphabetically, following the English order from A to Z; and according to the Vietnamese tradition for tones and sequence for the Vietnamese-English section.

The components of each headword are as follows:

1. Headwords are printed in color, followed by the word class (given in italics). If the headword has more than one word class, the different classes are numbered:

eùm v. to cover up, to hide

land 1 n. ñaát lieàn, luïc ñòa; ñaát, ñaát ñai (ñeå troàng troït); vuøng, xöù sôû, ñòa phöông, laõnh thoå; ruoäng ñaát, ñieàn saûn 2 v. ñoå boä; ñöa ñeán, ñaåy vaøo; ñöôïc, baét ñöôïc; giaùng (ñoøn); (maùy bay) haï caùnh; caäp beán

2. Square brackets are used to give more information for each entry: such as cross-references to other headwords, the past tense and past participle of the English headword, etc:

phuï hoaï v. to echo, to repeat [someone’s opinion]

bear 1 n. con gaáu: ~ hug oâm chaët 2 v. [bore; born/borne] mang, caàm, vaùc v.v. chòu ñöïng, sinh (saûn), sinh lôïi; to ~ interest sinh laõi

3. Meanings of Vietnamese headwords are in low cases. If the headword has different expressions in Vietnamese, they are separated by a comma (,) and if they have different meanings, they are separated by a semi-colon (;):

oaùn v., n. to resent, to bear a grudge against; resentment, hatred: thuø oaùn to resent; aân oaùn ingratitude and rancor

4. Extended vocabulary items and sample sentences using the English headword are first given in English, followed by the Vietnamese translation. In order to avoid repetition of the headword in these extended vocabulary items or sample sentences, the symbol ~ is used to represent the English headword:

pace 1 n. böôùc ñi; daùng/caùch ñi; toác ñoä, nhòp ñoä: to keep ~ with theo/saùnh kòp; to set the ~ neâu göông; to go at a walking ~ ñi töøng böôùc; to go the ~ ñi nhanh; aên chôi phoùng ñaõng; to put someone through his/her ~s thöû taøi ai, thöû söùc ai; cho ai thi thoá taøi naêng 2 v. ñi töøng böôùc, böôùc töøng böôùc: to ~ up and down the corridors ñi ñi laïi laïi doïc theo haønh lang

For the Vietnamese-English section, the extended vocabulary items are separated by semi-colons:

ra 1 v. [SV xuaát] to exit, to go out, to come out; to go [out] into, to come [out] into; to look, to become; to issue [order leänh], to give [signal hieäu, assignment baøi]: ra beå to go to the sea 2 adv. out, outside, forth: khoâng ra gì, chaúng ra gì to amount to nothing; baøy ra to display, to show off; ñoû ra to become red; noùi ra to speak up; nhôù ra to remember, to call forth; tìm ra, kieám ra to find out; cöûa ra vaøo door; hieän ra to appear; hoaù ra to become; it turns out that; thaønh ra to come out; chia ra to divide up, to divide into

5. There is a variety of terms used to address the first and second persons in Vietnamese. As shown by the following example:

baø 1 n. [SV toå maãu] grandmother; female: baøngoaïi maternal grandmother; baønoäi paternal grandmother; ñaøn baø woman, women 2 pron. lady/you [used by grandchild to grandmother, first person pronoun being chaùu]; I [used by grandmother to grandchild, second person pronoun being chaùu]; you [used to refer to women of a certain age, first person pronoun being toâi]

toâi is used for the first person and chaùu for the second person. The reader can replace these terms with oâng, baø, anh, chò, em, tau, maøy... depending on the age and relationship between the first and second persons.

6. Vietnamese words that are loanwords have their Vietnamese pronunciation connected by hyphens (-), for example:

centimeter n. xen-ti-met, phaân

ki-loâ n. [Fr. kilogram] kilogram

7. List of abbreviations used in this Dictionary are as follows:

A Guide to Vietnamese Pronunciation

Like Chinese and Thai, Vietnamese is a tonal language where no word is conjugated. The Vietnamese alphabet has 29 letters:

a, aê, aâ, b, c, d, ñ, e, eâ, g, h, i, k, l, m, n, o, oâ, ô, p, q, r, s, t, u, ö, v, x, y.

The Vietnamese consonants are written as single letters or a cluster of two or three letters, as follows:

b, c, ch, d, ñ, g, gh, gi, h, k, kh, l, m, n, ng, ngh, nh, p, ph, qu, r, s, t, th, tr, v, x.

The vowels in Vietnamese are the following: a, aê, aâ, e, eâ, i/y, o, oâ, ô, u, ö. Vowels can also be grouped together to form a cluster or a word.

The following tables show the vowels and consonants in Vietnamese pronunciation with their English equivalents.

Tones

The standard Vietnamese language has six tones. Each tone is a meaningful and integral part of the syllable. Every syllable must have a tone. The tones are indicated in conventional Vietnamese spelling by diacritic marks placed over (aù, aø, aû, aõ) or under (aï) single vowels or the vowel in a cluster that bears the main stress (v).

Tone Symbols

The six tones just described are summarized in the following chart to illustrate the differences between them as they are associated with individual words.

The Vietnamese language has its national standard syntax, morphology and the tone system, although there are some regional variations in pronunciation and accents. The significant differences in pronunciation and accents between the Northern and Southern people (represented by Hanoi and Saigon respectively) are as follows:

1. There is no difference in the single vowels between Hanoi and Saigon.

2. There are two vowel clusters /öu/ and /öôu/ which are pronounced /iu/ and /ieâ u/ by Hanoi, and /öu/ and /öôu/ by Saigon.

3. Differences in the pronunciation of consonants:

4. Saigonese do not differentiate between the two tones /?/ and /~/; these are pronounced alike.

VIETNAMESE-ENGLISH

VIETNAMESE-ENGLISH

A

a 1 n. acre [100 square meters] chöõ vieát taét maãu Taây 2 a! intj. Oh! [exclamation term]

a dua v. to flatter, to follow

a-loâ! intj. Hello!

a phieán n. (= thuoác phieän) opium

A-Phuù-Haûn n. Afghanistan, Afghan

a toøng v. to act as an accomplice

aù! intj. Oh! Ouch!

Aù n. Asia, Asian: Ñoâng Nam AÙ Southeast Asia

AÙ-Caên-Ñình n. Argentina, Argentine

Aù Chaâu n. Asia, Asian: Ñoâng Nam Aù Chaâu Southeast Asia

Aù Ñoâng n. Asia, The East, The Orient, Asian, Eastern, Oriental

aø intj. Oh! Ah!: Theá aø? Is that so?

aû n. lass, gal, dame, damsel

aû ñaøo n. traditional song female singer

Aû Raäp n. Arabia, Arab, Arabian

aï intj. polite particle: vaâng aï Yes sir

aùc adj. cruel [opp. hieàn], severe, fierce; R evil [opp. thieän]

aùc caûm n. antipathy, ill-feeling, dislike

aùc chieán n. a bloody fight

aùc lieät adj. [of a fight, battle, war] very violent, very fierce

aùc mieäng adj. foul-mouthed

aùc moäng n. nightmare

aùc oân n. wicked thug

aùc thuù n. wild animal

aùc yù n. malice, ill-will

aùch n. yoke

ai pron. Who?, whom, whoever, everyone, someone, anyone

Ai Caäp n. Egypt, Egyptian

Ai Lao n. Laos, Laotian [see Laøo]

aùi aân v. to make love

aùi chaø! intj. Well, well!

aùi höõu n. friendly society

aùi ngaïi v. to feel compassion for

aùi löïc n. affinity

Aùi Nhó Lan n. Ireland, Irish

aùi nöõ n. daughter

aùi quoác adj. patriotic: loøng aùi quoác patriotism; nhaø aùi quoác patriot

aùi tình n. (= tình yeâu) love

aûi n. pass, hurdle

am n. small Buddhist temple, cottage

am hieåu v. to know well, to be familiar with

aùm aûnh v. to be obsessed, beset

aùm hieäu n. secret signal

aùm muoäi adj. stupid, fishy, shady

aùm saùt v. to assassinate: vuï aùm saùt assassination

aùm taû n. dictation

an adj. safe, secure; R peace: bình an (= yeân) security

an höôûng v. to live peacefully, to enjoy peacefully: an höôûng cuoäc ñôøi to enjoy life peacefully

an khang adj. healthy and safe

An Nam n. Vietnam [old term]

an ninh n. security: cô quan an ninh security service

an nhaøn adj. to be leisurely: ñôøi soáng an nhaøn a good and easy life

an phaän v. to feel smug: an phaän thuû thöôøng to feel smug about one’s present circumstances

an toaï v. to be seated

an toaøn adj. secure, safe

an uûi v. to comfort

aùn n. judgment, sentence, verdict: toaø aùn court of law

aùn maïng n. murder, homicide

aùn treo n. suspended sentence

aùng n. literary work: aùng vaên chöông literature work

anh 1 n. (= huynh) elder brother: anh em brothers/you; anh caû eldest brother; anh reå brother-in-law [one’s sister’s husband]; anh ruoät blood brother; anh hoï cousin [one’s parent’s elder sibling’s son] 2 pron. anh (first person as I [used by elder brother to younger sibling], and as you [used to young man]); he [used of young man]

Anh n., adj. Great Britain, England; British, English: Nöôùc Anh England, Britain; tieáng Anh English; lieân hieäp Anh the British Commonwealth

Anh Caùt Lôïi n. England, English

anh ñaøo n. cherry

anh huøng n. hero: baäc/ñaáng anh huøng hero

anh huøng ca n. epic

Anh quoác n. England

anh thö n. heroine

aùnh n. beam, ray: aùnh naéng sunlight; aùnh traêng moonlight

aùnh saùng n. light: aùnh saùng ban ngaøy daylight

aûnh n. photograph: taám/böùc aûnh (= hình); tranh aûnh pictures, illustrations; chuïp aûnh to take photographs; ñieän aûnh movies

aûnh höôûng n. influence: coù aûnh höôûng to influence [ñeán precedes object], to be influential

ao n. pond: ao caù fish pond

ao öôùc v. to long for, to dream

aùo n. [SV y] blouse, shirt, jacket, tunic: caùi aùo clothes, clothing; côm aùo food and clothing

AÙo n. Austria, Austrian: nöôùc Aùo Austria

Aùo moân n. Macao

aùo quan n. coffin

AÙo quoác n. Austria

aøo aøo adj. roaring: chaïy aøo aøo to rush; gioù thoåi aøo aøo roaring wind

aûo adj. imaginary, illusive: huyeàn aûo mysterious

aûo töôûng n. illusion, fancy

aùp v. to approach, to get close; to stand against: aùp böùc to oppress; ñaøn aùp to repress

aùp duïng v. to apply, to use [method, policy]

aùp ñaët v. to impose, to force on

aùp löïc n. pressure: aùp löïc khoâng khí atmospheric pressure

aùp phích n. poster, bill

aùp suaát n. pressure

aùt v. to drown out [noise]

aùy naùy v. to be uneasy

AÊ

aéc-quy n. [Fr. Accu] battery

aüm v. to carry [baby] in one’s arms

aên 1 v. [SV thöïc] to eat: aên côm to eat or take a meal 2 v. to earn; to win: aên gian to earn dishonestly; aên löông to earn wages

aên baän v. to wear clothes, to dress

aên bôùt v. to practice squeezing, to take part of profits

aên caép v. to steal, to rob, to pilfer

aên chay v. to eat vegetarian food

aên chòu v. to eat on credit

aên chôi v. to amuse oneself, be a playboy; to eat for fun: boán moùn aên chôi four assorted appetizers

aên cöôùp v. to rob, to loot, to burglarize

aên dieän v. to dress smartly

aên gian v. to cheat

aên traàu v. to chew betel

aên haïi v. to live at the expense of; to be a parasite

aên hieáp v. to bully, to oppress

aên hoûi v. to ritually propose, to become engaged

aên hoái loä v. to take bribes, to be corrupt

aên khao v. to celebrate a happy event by giving a banquet

aên maøy v. to beg: ngöôøi/keû aên maøy beggar

aên maëc v. to dress, to wear clothes

aên möøng v. to celebrate: aên möøng ngaøy quoác khaùnh to celebrate the National Day

aên naèm v. to live as husband and wife

aên naên v., n. to repent; regret

aên non v. to quit gambling as soon as one has won

aên ôû v. to live; to behave

aên quòt v. to eat or take without paying

aên tieàn 1 v. to take bribes 2 adj. [slang] to be successful, all right

aên troäm v. to rob, to burglarize, to steal [as in housebreaking]

aên vaï v. to make a scene in order to obtain what one wants; [of child] to create a tantrum

aên vaõ v. to eat [meat, fish, other food] without rice

aên vaän v. (= aên maëc) to dress

aên xin v. (= aên maøy) to beg

aêng aúng v. [of puppy] to yelp repeatedly

Aêng Leâ n. [Fr. Anglais] English: tieáng Aêng Leâ English language

aêng ten n. [Fr. antenne] antenna, aerial: gaén coät aêng ten truyeàn hình to set up an antenna for TV

aép adj. brimful

aét adv. certainly, surely

AÂ

aâm 1 n. sound, phone: baùt aâm the eight sounds used in music [produced from silk ti, bamboo truùc, metal kim, stone thaïch, wood moäc, earthenware thoå, leather caùch, and the gourd baøo]; nguõ aâm the five notes in the penta-tonic scale; baùn maãu aâm semi-vowel; nguyeân aâm vowel; phuï aâm consonant; phaùt aâm pronunciation; nhò truøng aâm diphthong 2 n. female principle, negative principle, minus, yin [opp. döông]: aâm lòch lunar calendar

aâm ba n. sound wave

aâm cöïc n. cathode

aâm ñaïo n. vagina

aâm ñieäu n. tune, melody

aâm ñoä n. pitch

aâm hoä n. vulva

aâm höôûng n. echo

aâm lòch n. lunar calendar

aâm möu n., v. plot; to plot

aâm nhaïc n. music

aâm phuû n. hell

aâm thanh n. sound, tone

aâm thaàm v., adj. quiet, to be profound; silent

aâm tieát n. syllable

aâm toá n. sound element

aâm vò n. phoneme

aâm vò hoïc n. phonemics

aám 1 v., adj. warm: nöôùc aám warm water 2 n. teapot, kettle: caùi aám naáu nöôùc kettle

aám cuùng adj. snug, harmonious

aám no adj. well off, comfortable

aàm adj., adv. noisy; noisily: aàm ó to be very noisy; noisily

aåm adj. humid, moist, muggy

aân n. R kind act [from above], good deed, favor (= ôn)

aân caàn adj. kind, thoughtful

aân haän v. to regret, to be sorry

aân nhaân n. benefactor

aân xaù v. to proclaim amnesty

aán v. to press [button]; R to print (= in): aán loaùt printing

AÁn n. India, Indies, Indian: Taây AÁn the West Indies

aán ñònh v. to define, to confirm, to fix [price, rate, date…]

Aán ñoä n. India

Aán Ñoä Döông n. Indian Ocean

Aán Ñoä giaùo n. Hinduism

aán haønh v. to print, to publish

aán loaùt v., n. to print; printing: thieát bò aán loaùt printing facilities; aán quaùn printing house

aán töôïng n. impression, imprint: gaây aán töôïng toát to make a good impression

aån v. to hide: aån naáp to take shelter; truù aån to be latent, hidden

aån daät v. to live a secluded life

aån khuaát v. to be hidden

aån naùu v. to hide oneself, to take shelter

aån nuùp v. to hide, to take cover

aáp 1 n. hamlet, settlement, farm 2 v. to sit on [eggs]

AÂu n. Europe, European: AÂu Myõ Western; chaâu AÂu Europe

aâu phuïc n. Western clothes

aâu saàu adj., v. sad, sorrowful; to grieve, to be concerned

aâu yeám v. fondle, caress

aáu 1 adj. R to be young: lôùp ñoàng aáu first grade [primary school] 2 n. caltrops: aên cuû aáu to eat caltrops

aáu tró adj. childish, immature

aáu tró vieân n. kindergarten

aåu adj., v. careless, negligent; to disregard rules and regulations

aåu ñaû v. to fight, to brawl

aáy 1 adj., pron. that, those: chính phuû aáy that government 2 intj. Look! Mind you!

B

ba 1 num. [SV tam] three: thöù ba third; Tuesday; möôøi ba thirteen; ba möôi/chuïc thirty 2 n. [Fr. papa] dad, father 3 n. R wave (= soùng): loø beáp vi ba microwave

ba ba n. turtle

ba chæ n. side: mua moät mieáng thòt ba chæ to buy a cut of pork-side

ba gai adj. rowdy, impolite

ba hoa adj., v. talkative; to talk too much; to boast, to brag

Ba Lan n. Poland, Polish

ba laêng nhaêng adj. undisciplined, disorganized; worthless

Ba loâ n. knapsack, rucksack: vai mang ba loâ to carry a knapsack on one’s shoulder

ba phaûi adj. agreeing with everyone

Ba Taây n. Brazil, Brazilian

ba toong n. [Fr. baton] stick, cane

ba trôïn adj. unruly, rude

Ba Tö n. Persia, Iran; Persian, Iranian

baù 1 adj. R one hundred (= traêm): 2 n. R count, earl, mandarin, title of king’s court 3 v. R to sow [seeds]: truyeàn baù to spread; quaûng baù to broadcast

baù caùo v. to announce, to publicize, to proclaim

baù chuû n. lord, master, ruler

baù quyeàn n. hegemony

baùtöôùc n. earl, count

baø 1 n. [SV toå maãu] grandmother; female: baøngoaïi maternal grandmother; baønoäi paternal grandmother; ñaøn baø woman, women 2 pron. lady/you [used by grandchild to grandmother, first person pronoun being chaùu]; I [used by grandmother to grandchild, second person pronoun being chaùu]; you [used to refer to women of a certain age, first person pronoun being toâi]

baø con n. relative, relation, fellow

baø ñôõ n. midwife

baø phöôùc n. (= dì phöôùc) Catholic female priest, sister

baø vaõi n. Buddhist nun

baû 1 n. lure; poison; bait: baû vinh hoa the lure of honors 2 pron. (= baø aáy) she; her

baû vai n. flat of shoulder, shoulder blade

baõ n. residue, waste, dregs: baõ mía sugar-cane residue

baï adj. anyone; anything; anywhere; at random, haphazardly

baùc 1 n. uncle [father’s elder brother] 2 pron. you [used to refer to an uncle, first person pronoun being chaùu], I [used to refer to a nephew or niece, second person pronoun being chaùu], you [used to refer to craftsmen, first person pronoun being toâi]; you [my child’s uncle or aunt; also used to refer to friends]; she, he: Chaùu xin chaøo baùc? How are you? 3 v. to scramble [eggs] 4 v. to reject [application, proposal]

baùc aùi adj. humane, tolerant, altruistic

baùc boû v. to reject

baùc hoïc n. learned man, scholar, scientist: nhaø baùc hoïc scientist

baùc só n. doctor, medical doctor

baïc 1 n. [SV ngaân] silver; money: ñoàng baïc piastre; kho baïc treasury; tieàn baïc money, currency; ñaùnh baïc to gamble 2 adj. dis-colored, faded

baïc beõo adj. ungrateful, unrewarding

baïc ñaõi v. to betray, to treat with indifference, to be ill-treated

baïc haø n. peppermint, mint

baùch num. R one hundred (= traêm)

baùch boä v. to go for a walk

baùch hoaù n. all kinds of goods

baùch khoa n. polytechnical, encyclopedic; baùch khoa töø ñieån encyclopedia

baùch phaân n. per cent, centigrade

baùch thaûo adj. botanical: vöôøn baùch thaûo botanical gardens

baùch thuù n. zoological: vöôøn baùch thuù zoo

baïch adj. R white (= traéng): baïch chuûng the white race

baïch kim n. platinum

Baïch OÁc n. (= Baïch Cung) the White House

baùi v. R to bow, to kowtow, to pay homage to

baøi 1 n. text, lesson, script; CL for nouns denoting speeches, newspaper articles; cards: moät baøi dieãn vaên a speech; con/laù quaân/ caây baøi a deck of cards; chôi baøi, ñaùnh baøi to play cards; daøn baøi outline 2 v. R to be against

baøi tieát v. to excrete; to eliminate

baøi trí v. to furnish; to decorate

baøi tröø v. to abolish; to get rid of [an evil]

baøi vôû n. class materials; task

baøi xích v. to disapprove of; to be against

baõi 1 n. flat expanse, field, stretch [of grass, sand, etc.]: baõi beå shore, beach; baõi ñaù boùng soccer field; baõi sa maïc desert; baõi tha ma graveyard 2 v. R to stop, to cease, to strike: baõi binh to cease fighting, to disarm

baõi khoùa v. [of students] to strike

baõi thò v. [of market vendors] to strike

baõi tröôøng n. school vacation

baïi v. to lose [battle, war], to be defeated (= thua): thaát baïi to fail [opp. thaønh, thaéng]

baùm v. to hang on, to stick, to cling [laáy to]

ban 1 n. section, board, committee, commission: ban nhaïc orchestra, band 2 n. section of time: ban ngaøy in the daytime; ban ñeâm during the night; ban naãy just now, a short while ago; ban saùng this morning 3 v. to grant, to bestow, to confer

ban boá v. to issue, to promulgate [laws, regulation]

ban haønh v. to issue, to promulgate, to enforce [laws]

ban khen v. to praise, to award

ban phaùt v. to distribute, to dispense

baùn 1 v. [SV maïi] to sell; to be sold: baùn laïi to resell; ñoà baùn nöôùc traitor, quisling; baùn chòu to sell on credit; ngöôøi baùn haøng salesman, salesgirl 2 adj. semi, half: baùn coâng khai semi-official

baùn caàu n. hemisphere

baùn chính thöùc n. semi-official

baùn ñaûo n. peninsula: baùn ñaûo Trieàu Tieân the Korean Peninsula

baùn keát n. semi-final

baùn khai adj. under-developed, uncivilized, backward: daân toäc baùn khai uncivilized people

baùn kính n. radius

baùn nguyeät n. semi-circular; bimonthly

baùn nguyeân aâm n. semi-vowel

baùn nieân n. half year, one semester

baùn soáng baùn cheát adj. being in danger of one’s life

baùn thaân n. bust

baùn thaân baát toaïi n. hemiplegia

baùn tín baùn nghi adj. doubtful, dubious

baùn töï ñoäng adj. semi-automatic

baøn 1 n. table, desk: caùi baøn hoïc study table; baøn chaân foot; baøn chaûi brush; baøn ñaïp pedal; baøn gheá furniture; baøn thôø altar 2 v. [SV luaän] to discuss, to deliberate [ñeán, veà about]

baøn baïc v. to discuss, to deliberate

baøn caõi v. to debate

baøn giao v. to transfer, to hand over

baûn 1 n. edition, copy, impression [CL for scripts, songs, plays, statements, treaties, etc.]: moät baûn hieäp öôùc a treaty; moät baûn baùo caùo a report 2 n. R root, base, origin, source (= goác)

baûn doanh n. headquarters

baûn ñoà n. map

baûn leà n. hinge

baûn naêng n. instinct

baûn ngaõ n. ego, self

baûn quyeàn n. copyright

baûn sao n. a photocopy [of an original document]

baûn saéc n. character, identity: baûn saéc daân toäc national identity

baûn thaûo n. draft, rough draft

baûn xöù n. local/native country

baïn n. [SV höõu] friend, comrade: nöôùc baïn friendly nation; baïn traêm naêm spouse, husband, wife

baïn ñoïc n. reader: traû lôøi thö baïn ñoïc to answer readers’ letters

baïn haøng n. customer, fellow trader

bang n. R state, country, nation: laân bang neighboring state; lieân bang union, federation

bang giao v. to have relations with

baùng 1 n. butt, stock: baùng suùng butt 2 n. ascites

baøng baïc v. to teem, to overflow

baøng hoaøng adj. stunned, dumb-founded, stupefied

baøng quan v. to look on: keû baøng quan spectator

baøng thính v. to audit [class, course]; to listen in

baûng n. sign, placard: yeát leân baûng thoâng baùo to put up on the notice-board

baùnh 1 n. cake, pie, pastry: baùnh ngoït cake; baùnh mì bread; baùnh bao dumpling; baùnh boø sponge cake; baùnh cuoán steamed rolled rice pancake 2 n. wheel: baùnh xe car wheel; tay baùnh laùi steer- ing wheel

baùnh Trung thu n. mid-autumn festival cake

baønh toâ n. jacket, coat

baønh tröôùng v. to develop, to expand, to spread

bao 1 pron. how much, how many; so much, so many; some, any: Bao giôø? When?, What time?; Bao nhieâu? How much? How many?; bao giôø cuõng ñöôïc any time 2 n. envelope, bag: moät bao thuoác laù a pack of cigarettes 3 v. to pack, to wrap, to cover: bao boïc to protect; bao goàm to include

bao che v. to screen

bao dung adj. generous, tolerant

bao phuû v. to cover up

bao quaùt v. to embrace, to include

bao töû n. stomach: beänh ñau bao töû stomach-ache

bao vaây v. to besiege, to encircle

baùo 1 v. to announce, to notify, to report 2 n. newspaper: tôø baùo haøng ngaøy, nhaät baùo a daily newspaper; nhaø baùo journalist

baùo caùo v. to report

baùo chí n. newspaper and magazine; the press: thoâng caùo baùo chí press release

baùo danh n. candidate list

baùo ñoäng v. to alarm, to alert, to be in an emergency

baùo giôùi n. the press, media

baùo hæ n. wedding announcement

baùo hieáu v. to show gratitude towards one’s parents: toû loøng baùo hieáu cha meï to convey one’s filial piety towards one’s parents

baùo hieäu v. to give the signal

baùo thuø v. to avenge oneself

baùo thöùc v. to wake up: ñoàng hoà baùo thöùc alarm clock

baùo tin v. to inform, to advise, to announce

baøo 1 v. to plane 2 n. caùi baøo plane: voû baøo shavings 3 n. R womb: ñoàng baøo compatriot, fellow countryman

baøo cheá v. to produce medicines, to make drugs: nhaø baøo cheá pharmacist, pharmacologist

baøo chöõa v. to defend

baøo ngö n. abalone

baøo thai n. fetus

baûo v. to say [to], to tell [raèng that]: khuyeân baûo/raên baûo to advise

baûo an n. security: Hoäi ñoàng Baûo An the Security Council

baûo ñaûm v. to guarantee, to assure; to register

baûo haønh v. to give a warranty

baûo hieåm v. to insure, to assure, to guarantee

baûo hoaøng v. to be royalist/ monarchist

baûo hoä v. to protect

baûo keâ v. to register, to insure

baûo maät v. to keep secretly, to be confidential

baûo quyeán n. [precious] family

baûo vaät n. precious things, valuables (= quí)

baûo veä v. to protect, to guard, to preserve (= giöõ)

baûo taøng vieän n. museum

baûo thuû v. to be conservative

baûo toaøn v. to keep intact, to preserve perfectly

baûo toàn v. to preserve: baûo toàn vaên hoaù to preserve one’s culture

baûo trôï v. to protect, to sponsor: quyeàn baûo trôï patronage, sponsorship

baûo veä v. to preserve, to guard, to defend

baõo n. typhoon, storm, hurricane: côn/traän baõo storm; baõo tuyeát snowstorm

baõo hoøa adj. saturated

baõo taùp n. violent storm, severe hurricane

baïo adj. daring, brave, bold

baïo beänh n. serious illness

baïo chuùa n. tyrant

baïo daïn adj. bold, daring, fearless

baïo ñoäng v. to be violent

baïo löïc n. repression, violence

baïo taøn v. to be cruel, to be wicked

baát baïo ñoäng adj. non-violent

baùt 1 n. eating bowl: moät baùt côm a bowl of rice 2 num. eight (= taùm): baùt giaùc octagon

baùt dóa n. bowls and plates; dishes: maùy röûa baùt ñóa dish washer

baùt ngaùt adj. immense, limitless

baùt phoá v. to loiter in the streets, to wander about in a shopping center

baùt quaùi n. eight-number figure

baït 1 adj. careless, negligent, rash: baït maïng reckless 2 n. epilogue 3 n. canvas: nhaø baït a canvas tent

baït thieäp adj. well-mannered, polite: con ngöôøi baït thieäp a well-mannered person

bay 1 pron. you [plural]: chuùng bay you all 2 n. trowel: bay thôï hoà bricklayer’s trowel 3 v. [SV phi] to fly: saân bay airport

baøy v. (= baày) [SV baøi] to display, to arrange: toû baøy to express, to expose; trình baøy to present

baøy bieän v. to display, to arrange

baøy ñaët v. to create unnecessarily

baøy toû v. to convey, to express

baøy veõ v. to contrive unnecessary things; to show, to teach

baûy num. [SV thaát] seven: möôøi baûy seventeen; baûy möôi/chuïc seventy; thöù baûy seventh; Saturday; moät traêm baûy möôi/chuïc one hundred and seventy

baéc 1 v. to bridge a space with [a plank taám vaùn, brick gaïch]: baéc caàu to build a bridge 2 n. north, northern: phöông baéc the north; thuoác Baéc Chinese medicine; ngöôøi Baéc northerner

Baéc Baêng Döông n. Arctic Ocean

Baéc boä n. the northern part of Vietnam

Baéc Cöïc n. North Pole

Baéc Ñaåu Boäi Tinh n. Legion of Honor Medal

Baéc Ñaïi Taây Döông n. North Atlantic

Baéc Haøn n. North Korea

Baéc Kinh n. Beijing

Baéc Kyø n. North Vietnam

Baéc Myõ n. North America

baéc phaàn n. the northern part of Vietnam

Baéc Phi n. North Africa

Baéc thuoäc n. Chinese domination

Baéc Vieät n. North Vietnam

baêm 1 num. thirty [contraction of ba möôi]: baêm saùu thirty six 2 v. to chop

baên khoaên v. to be worried, unable to make up one’s mind

baén v. [SV xaï] to fire, to shoot [vaøo at]; to splash: baén tin to drop a hint, to start a rumor, to spread the news

baêng 1 n. ice: ñoùng baêng/keát baêng to freeze 2 n. [Fr. banque] bank 3 n. [Fr. ruban, bande] ribbon, band, bandage, tape: thay baêng to change a bandage

baêng boù v. to dress a wound

Baêng Coác n. Bangkok

baêng haø 1 n. glacier 2 v. [of king] to pass away

baêng phieán n. naphthalene, moth balls

baèng 1 adj. equal to, to be as … as; to be even, level: baèng loøng satisfied; consenting, agreeable; baèng khoâng if not, or else 2 adv. to be made of [some material], run by [some fuel], use [at means], travel or be transported by 3 n. diploma, degree: lónh baèng to receive a diploma/degree/certificate; leã phaùt baèng graduation ceremony

baèng caáp n. diploma, degree

baèng chöùng n. (= baèng cöù) evidence, proof: tröng baèng chöùng to give an evidence

baèng höõu n. friend(s)

baèng loøng v. to agree, to be satisfied

baèng phaúng adj. even and flat

baép n. (= ngoâ) corn, maize

baép caûi n. cabbage

baép thòt n. muscle: baép chaân calf

baét v. [SV boä] to catch, to seize, to arrest; to force

baét beû v. to find fault with, to criticize

baét bôù v. to arrest

baét buoäc v. to force, to compel; to be obligatory, to be compulsory

baét chöôùc v. to imitate, to mimic

baét coùc v. to kidnap

baét ñaàu v. to begin, to start

baét ñeàn v. to demand restitution, to ask for compensation

baét gaëp v. to come across, to run into

baét maïch v. to take a pulse

baét moái v. to make contact

baét naït v. to bully

baét quaû tang v. to catch in the act

baét tay v. to shake hands [with]; to start

baét thaêm v. to draw lots

baác 1 adj. [of wind] northern 2 n. pith: baác ñeøn wick

baäc n. step [of stairs], rung [of ladder], category, level

baám v. to press [button, etc.]

baàm adj. bruised, black and blue

baåm v. (= thöa) to report [to a superior]/[polite particle]

baåm chaát n. nature, inborn trait

baåm sinh adj. innate, inborn

baåm tính n. innate character

baán v. to be short of money, to be in trouble

baàn 1 adj. R poor (= ngheøo): baàn cuøng very poor 2 n. cork

baàn ñaïo n. a poor priest

baàn coá noâng n. a poor peasant

baàn taêng n. a poor monk

baàn thaàn adj. haggard, worried

baàn tieän adj. mean, ignoble

baån adj. dirty, filthy; stingy: tay baån dirty hands

baän 1 adj. busy, occupied: baän vieäc to be busy 2 v. to dress, to wear 3 n. time, occurrence: moãi baän each time

baâng khuaâng adj. melancholic; undecided

baâng quô adj. vague or indefinite [in speech]

baáp beânh adj. [of conditions, situation, position] unstable, uncertain

baäp beï v. to jabber, to mutter, to babble

baäp buøng adj. flickering

baát adj. R not, non (= chaúng, khoâng): baát bình displeased, unhappy

baát caàn v. not to care

baát caån adj. careless: vieäc laøm baát caån careless work

baát chaáp v. regardless of; to ignore

baát chính adj. unrighteous

baát coâng adj. unjust, unfair

baát coäng ñaùi thieân adj. to be deadly [enemies]

baát cöù adj. any: baát cöù luùc naøo any time, any moment

baát di baát dòch adj. immutable

baát dieät adj. immortal, everlasting

baát ñaéc dó adj. unwilling, reluctant, unavoidable

baát ñònh adj. unstable

baát ñoà adv. suddenly, unexpectedly

baát ñoàng adj. different, uneven, divergent

baát ñoäng adj. motionless

baát ñoäng saûn n. real estate, property

baát haïnh adj. unlucky, unfortunate: keû baát haïnh a victim

baát haûo adj. bad

baát hôïp phaùp adj. illegal, unlawful

baát hôïp taùc v. to be uncooperative; non-cooperative

baát huû adj. [of character, literary work] to be immortal

baát khaû xaâm phaïm adj. inviolable, unalienable

baát kyø adj. any; unexpected, unintended

baát luaän adj. regardless of

baát löïc adj. inefficient, incapable, powerless

baát löông adj. dishonest, crooked

baát maõn adj. dissatisfied with

baát nhaõ adj. rude, impolite

baát nhaân adj. non-benevolent, inhumane

baát quaù adv. at most, only

baát taøi adj. incapable

baát thình lình v., adv. to act suddenly; suddenly; all of a sudden, unexpectedly

baát thöôøng adj. unusual, extraordinary

baát tieän adj. inconvenient

baát tænh adj. unconscious, insensible

baát trò adj. incurable, unruly: beänh baát trò an incurable disease

baät v. to snap, to switch [lights] on

baät löûa n. cigarette lighter

baáu v. to pinch, to snip off

baàu 1 n. bottle gourd, calabash: quaû/traùi baàu a calabash; CL for certain nouns: baàu nhieät huyeát enthusiasm 2 adj. sphere, globe; coù baàu to be pregnant 3 v. to elect, to vote [cho for]

baàu cöû n. election

baây giôø pron., adv. now, at [the] present [time]

baáy giôø adv. at that time

baáy laâu pron., adv. so long, since then

baáy nhieâu pron. that much

baày n. flock, herd, group, pack

baåy v. to pry up, to prize: hoï baåy hoøn ñaù leân they pry up a slab of stone

baãy v., n. to trap; to snare; trap, snare: maéc baãy to be trapped

baäy adj., adv. wrong; improperly; nonsense

be n. wine flask

be beùt adj. crushed to pulp; completely messed up

beù adj. [SV tieåu] small, young, little, tiny: con beù the little girl; vôï beù a concubine; beù con a little child

beø 1 n. faction, clique, party: beø luõ, beø ñaûng gang, group, party 2 n. raft: ñoùng caùi beø to build a craft; taàu beø boats, ships; thuyeàn beø boats, craft

beø phaùi n. faction, clique, party

beû v. to break; to bend [something long or flexible] in a curve; to snap; to pick [fruit, flower]; to pinion: beû caønh caây to break a stick

beõ adj. ashamed

beùn adj. sharp

beùn muøi v. to become familiar with, to be accustomed to

beøn adv. then, instantly, immediately [precedes main verb]

beõn leõn adj. shy, timid

beùo adj. fat, plump, stout, obese [opp. gaày, oám]; [of dish] greasy

beùo bôû adj. profitable, easy to do

beùo toát adj. fat and healthy

beøo n. [SV bình] duckweed, marsh lentil, water hyacinth

beïp adj. crushed, flattened, put out of shape

beùt 1 adj. last [in rank], lowest, worst 2 adj. wrong, utterly messed up: naùt beùt beaten to a pulp

beït adj. flattened

beâ 1 n. calf [of cow]: thòt beâ veal 2 v. to carry with both hands

beâ beát adj. smeared all over, splashed all over

beâ boái adj. in a pother, in a stew

beâ toong/toâng n. [Fr. beâton] concrete

beâ treå v. to leave undone, to neglect

beá v. to hold in one’s arms

beá maïc v. [of a conference] to close, to adjourn, to end, to finish, to be over

beá quan toûa caûng n. the closed-door policy

beá taéc adj. obstructed, deadlocked

beà n. side, dimension: beà ngoaøi appearance; beà cao height

beà boän adj. jumbled, in a jumble, busy, mess

beà maët n. surface, area, appearance

beå 1 n. (= bieån) [SV haûi] sea; cistern, tank 2 v. [of glassware, china, etc.] to be broken (= vôõ)

beä n. platform, pedestal; throne

Beä Haï n. Your Majesty; Your Excellency; Sire

beä raïc adj. slovenly, squalid

beä veä adj. stately, imposing

beân n. [SV bieân] side; edge; party: caû hai beân both sides

beán n. landing place, pier, port; bus or railroad station

beàn adj. strong, durable, solid; long-wearing: beàn bæ enduring

beânh v. to protect, to defend, to take the side of

beänh n., v. sickness, disease; to be sick: khaùm beänh, xem beänh to give or receive a medical examination; chöõa beänh to cure a disease

beänh hoa lieãu n. (= beänh phong tình) venereal disease

beänh lyù n. pathology

beänh taät n. illness and infirmity

beänh tình n. patient’s condition, history of ailment

beänh vieän n. hospital, clinic

beáp n. kitchen; stove: ngöôøi laøm beáp cook, chef; beáp nöôùc cooking

bi n. [Fr. bille] marbles: chôi bi, ñaùnh bi to shoot marbles

bi ai adj. sorrowful, sad, lamentable, tragic

bi ñaùt adj. lamentable, tragic, heart-rending

bi haøi kòch n. tragedy-comedy

bi kòch n. tragedy, drama

bi quan adj. pessimistic [opp. laïc quan]

bi thaûm adj. tragic: caùi cheát bi thaûm a tragic death

bi traùng adj. pathetic

bí 1 n. pumpkin, squash, winter melon: quaû/traùi bí a pumpkin 2 adj. obstructed; constipated; to be stumped

bí aån adj. hidden, secret

bí danh n. pseudonym, pen name

bí hieåm adj. mysterious

bí maät adj., adv. secret, mysterious; secretly, mysteriously; coâng taùc bí maät secret mission

bí quyeát n. hint, secret [formula]

bí thö n. secretary

bí tæ adj. unconscious

bì 1 v. to compare: khoâng ai bì kòp no one is comparable 2 n. skin (= da), derm, peel; envelope, bag: phong bì envelope; cho gaïo vaøo bì to pack rice in bags

bæ adj. scornful or contemptuous of

Bæ n. Belgium, Belgian

bó adj. cornered, unfortunate, unlucky [opp. thaùi]

bò 1 n. bag, knapsack 2 v., adv. to suffer or experience something unpleasant or disastrous; to be: beân bò can the defendant, the accused [opp. beân nguyeân ñôn the plaintiff]

bò caùo n. defendant

bò ñoäng adj., adv. passive; passively

bia 1 n. [SV bi] tombstone, stone slab, stele: bia ñaù tombstone 2 n. bull’s eye, target [for archers, marksmen]: bia ñôõ ñaïn cannon folder 3 n. [Fr. bìere] beer

bìa n. book cover; cardboard: ñoùng bìa to bind [with a hard cover]

bòa v. to invent, to fabricate

bòa ñaët v. to invent, to fabricate

bích chöông n. poster

bích baùo n. newspaper posted on the wall

bieác adj. [SV bích] green or azure blue

bieám hoaï n. cartoon

bieân 1 v. to write down, to note down, to jot down 2 n. R edge, border, limit, boundary, frontier

bieân baûn n. report, log, minutes

bieân caûnh n. frontier area

bieân cheùp v. to write, to copy

bieân cheá v. to arrange staff: giaûm bieân cheá to cut staff

bieân cöông n. frontier, boundaries, border

bieân giôùi n. frontier, border

bieân lai n. receipt

bieân soaïn v. to edit, to compile, to write

bieân taäp vieân n. editor, writer

bieân thuyø n. frontier, border

bieán 1 v. to disappear, to vanish 2 v. to change, to turn into

bieán caûi v. to change, to transform

bieán chuyeån v. to change, to develop

bieán coá n. event, happening, occurrence

bieán ñoåi v. to change, to fluctuate

bieán hoaù v. to change, to evolve

bieán loaïn adj., n. rebellious; turmoil

bieán soá n. variable number

bieán thieân v. to change, to vary

bieàn ngaãu n. parallel, couple [stylistics]

bieån 1 n. [SV haûi, döông] sea, ocean: baõi bieån seashore, beach (= beå) 2 n. sign, placard

bieån laän adj. avaricious; fraudulent

bieån thuû v. to embezzle

bieän baùc v. to discuss, to argue, to explain, to debate

bieän giaûi v. to explain

bieän luaän v. to discuss, to argue

bieän lyù n. prosecutor

bieän phaùp n. method, measure, means, procedure

bieáng adj. lazy; indolent

bieát v. [SV tri] to know, be aware of: quen bieát to be acquainted with

bieát ñaâu adv. Who knows!

bieát ñieàu adj. reasonable

bieát ôn adj. grateful

bieät 1 adj. separated, isolated 2 v. to disappear without a trace: ñaëc bieät to be special, characteristic, typical

bieät ñaõi v. to treat exceptionally well

bieät ñoäng ñoäi n. special mobile troops

bieät hieäu n. nickname, pen name, pseudonym, alias

bieät laäp adj. independent, isolated

bieät ly v. to be separated, to part

bieät phaùi v. to detail

bieät taøi n. special talent

bieät thöï n. countryhouse, villa

bieät xöù adj. exiled, banished

bieáu v. to offer as a gift/present

bieáu xeùn v. to make [frequent] gifts

bieåu 1 v. (= baûo) to say to, to tell, to order 2 n. table, index, scale, meter: ñoà bieåu chart

bieåu dieãn v. to perform, to demonstrate, to parade

bieåu döông v. to show, to manifest [a certain spirit tinh thaàn]

bieåu ñoàng tình v. to express agreement

bieån hieän v. to manifest, to show plainly

bieåu loä v. to express, to convey

bieåu ngöõ n. slogan, banner

bieåu quyeát v. to decide, to vote

bieåu thò v. to show, to express

bieåu tình 1 v. to demonstrate [as a crowd] 2 n. demonstration

bieåu töôïng n. symbol

binh n. R soldier, private (= lính)/ R military: nhaø binh the military; tuø binh prisoner-of-war; moä binh to recruit soldiers; phaùo binh artillery(man); binh nhì private

binh bò n. military affairs

binh cheá n. military system or organization

binh chuûng n. arms, service, branch

binh ñao adj., n. pertaining to war; war, warfare, hostilities

binh ñoäi n. troops, forces

binh lính n. soldiers, troops

binh löïc n. combat forces, military power

binh maõ n. troops, army, cavalry

binh nguõ n. troops, army ranks

binh phaùp n. military strategy/ tactics

binh phí n. military expenses

binh só n. soldier, fighter, serviceman

binh thö n. military book/manual

binh vaâïn v. to carry out agitation and propaganda among enemy troops

bình 1 v. to comment, to criticize 2 n. vase, pot: bình hoa flower vase; bình cheø teapot; bình höông incense burner

bình an adj. well, safe: chuùc baïn thöôïng loä bình an to have a safe trip

bình daân adj. common, popular, simple-mannered, democratically-mannered

bình dò adj. ordinary, simple

bình dieän n. aspect, facet

bình ñaúng 1 adj. to be equal, on the same level 2 n. equality

bình ñòa n. level ground

bình ñieän n. battery

bình ñònh v. to pacify

bìng laëng adj. quiet and peaceful

bình luaän 1 v. to comment [veà on] 2 n. commentary, editorial

bình minh n. dawn, early morning

bình nguyeân n. plain

bình nhaät n. every day

bình phaåm v. to comment, to criticize

bình phong n. screen [folding screen]

bình phuïc v. to recover [from an illness]

bình phöông n. square [in mathematics]

bình quyeàn n. equal rights; equality of rights

bình sinh adv. in one’s lifetime

bình thaûn adj. peaceful, uneventful; indifferent, calm

bình thöôøng 1 adj. normal, ordinary 2 adv. ordinarily, normally

bình tónh 1 adj. calm, peaceful 2 v. to keep calm

bình yeân See bình an

bòp v. to bluff, to cheat

bít taát n. socks, stockings: moät chieác bít taát a sock

bít teát n. [Fr. bifteck] beefsteak

bòt v. to cover, to stop up: bòt maét to blindfold

bíu v. to cling to, to grasp, to hold

bóu v. to purse [one’s lips]

bo bo adj. jealously guarding, close, griping

boù v., n. to tie in a bundle; bunch: baêng boù to dress a wound

boù buoäc v. to compel, to force; [of a system] to be strict, severe

boù tay v. to give up, to be unable to do anything

boø 1 v. to crawl, to creep, to go on all fours: loaøi boø saùt the reptiles 2 n. [SV ngöu] cow, ox, bull: loaøi traâu boø livestock; boø caùi cow; boø ñöïc bull; boø con calf

boû v. to put, to cast; to leave, to abandon, to give up; to deposit: boû tieàn vaøo ngaân haøng to put/ deposit money into the bank

boû beâ v. to neglect

boû cuoäc v. to give up joining a competition

boû dôû v. to leave [something] unfinished

boû maëc v. to abandon oneself

boû mình v. to die [vì for]

boû nhoû v. to make a passing shot

boû phieáu v. to cast a vote, to vote

boû qua v. to pass, to overlook, to throw away [a chance]

boû queân v. to forget

boû rôi v. to leave far behind

boû soùt v. to omit, to leave out, to miss

boû tuø v. to jail, to put in jail

boû tuùi v. to put into a pocket

boõ adj. worthwhile: boõ coâng worth the trouble

boï n. insect, worm, flea: con boï choù dog flea, tick

boùc v. to peel [fruit]; to open: boùc thö to open the mail

boùc loät v. to rob; to exploit

boïc v., n. to wrap, to cover, to pack; package; parcel, bundle: bao boïc to envelop; to protect, to support/aid [relatives]

boùi v. to tell one’s fortune, to divine: xem boùi to consult a fortune-teller

boùi caù n. kingfisher

bom n. [Fr. bombe] bomb: neùm/ thaû bom to drop bombs; bom löûa incendiary bomb; bom nguyeân töû nuclear bomb

boûm beûm v. to chew [betel] a mouthful

bon bon adj. [of vehicles] to run fast

boùn 1 v. to fertilize 2 adj. to be constipated

boïn n. small group of people [derogatory]; gang: nhaäp boïn to affiliate oneself with a group

bong v. to get loose, to come off

bong boùng n. bubble, toy balloon, bladder

boùng 1 n. [SV aûnh] shadow, shade, light: boùng caây shade of tree; boùng naéng sunlight; chieáu/ chôùp boùng to show movies; nghóa boùng figurative meaning 2 n. [SV caàu] ball, balloon: boùng baøn table tennis; boùng roå basketball; boùng troøn/ñaù soccer 3 adj. shiny: ñaùnh boùng to polish

boûng adj. burned, scalded

boong n. [Fr. pont] deck of a ship

boùp 1 v. to squeeze with one’s hand, to press: boùp coø to pull the trigger; ñaám boùp to massage 2 n. [Fr. portefeuille] wallet

boùp buïng v. to deny oneself in everything, to suffer

boùp meùo v. to distort: boùp meùo söï thaät to distort the truth

boït n. foam, bubble, suds, lather: nöôùc boït saliva; boït beå sponge

boâ n. chamber pot, bedpan

boâ boâ adj. loud and noisy

boâ laõo n. village elderly

boá 1 n. father, dad, papa: boá meï parents; boá vôï wife’s father; boáchoà ng husband’s father 2 n. jute: vaûi boá canvas 3 v. to raid

boácaùo v. to proclaim, to announce: coâng boá to make public; phaân boá to distribute

boácuïc v., n. to arrange; to structure; arrangement; structure

boá thí v. to give alms, to give to charities

boá trí v. to deploy [troops]

boà 1 n. friend, pal, sweetheart, lover 2 n. bamboo basket

boà caâu n. pigeon, squab, dove

boà coâi adj. (= moà coâi) to be an orphan: boà coâi meï motherless

Boà Ñaøo Nha n. Portugal, Portuguese

boà ñeà n. bodhi tree [Buddhism]

boà hoùng n. soot

boà hoâi n. (= moà hoâi) sweat, perspiration

boà nhìn See buø nhìn

boà noâng n. pelican

boå 1 v. to split, to chop, to open: boå cuûi to chop wood; boå quaû döa to cut a melon 2 v. to name, to appoint 3 adj. to be nourishing, nutritious; mended; supplementary, complementary: thuoác boå tonic; tu boå to repair, to restore [buildings]

boå duïng v. to appoint, to nominate

boå ích adj. to be useful, interesting

boå khuyeát v. to fill [lacuna, position]

boånhieäm v. to appoint

boå tuùc v. to complement, to supplement, to add to

boä 1 n. set, series, pack [of cards], suit [of clothes], service, collection, assortment: boä bình traø a set of teapots 2 n. section, part, branch, [government] department, ministry: Boä Ngoaïi giao Ministry of Foreign Affairs 3 n. appearance, look, gait, mien: laøm boä laøm tòch to be conceited 4 n. R foot, step (= böôùc); land: ñi/cuoác boä to go on foot; treân boä on land

boä binh n. infantry(man)

boä ñieäu n. gesture, attitude

boä ñoäi n. troops, army

boä haønh n. pedestrian

boä laïc n. tribe

boä moân n. subject, department, section, field of specialization or endeavor: boä moân tieáng Anh English subject

boä tröôûng n. minister, secretary

boä xöông n. skeleton

boác 1 v. to take with one’s fingers: aên boác to eat with one’s fingers 2 v. to rise, to emit 3 n. [Fr. boxe] boxing: ñaù nh boác to box [to fight]

boäc loä v. to expose, to reveal, to show: boäc loä tình caûm to show one’s sentiment

boäc phaùt v. to explode, to break out suddenly

boâi v. to coat, to apply [cream, lotion, pomade]

boâi baùc v. to smear

boâi nhoï v. to soil, to discredit, to dishonor, to slanderï

boái caûnh n. background

boái roái adj. uneasy, perplexed, troubled, confused, bewildered

boài 1 v. to bank up with earth; R to nourish, to strengthen 2 n. [Fr. boy] houseboy, waiter

boài beáp n. servants

boài boå v. to strengthen, to foster, to increase

boài buùt n. ghost writer

boài döôõng v. to feed up, to improve, to cultivate: boài döôõng nghieäp vuï to foster one’s professional ability

boài hoaøn v. to refund money, to reimburse

boài thöôøng v. to pay damages [cho to], to pay compensation for

boài thaåm n. assessor, juror

boài thaåm ñoaøn n. jury

boäi v. R to violate, to break [promise, trust]: phaûn boäi/boäi phaûn to betray

boäi baïc adj. ungrateful, unfaithful: con ngöôøi boäi baïc ungrateful person

boäi chi adj. overspending

boäi phaàn adj., adv. manifold, many times; extremely

boäi soá n. multiple

boäi thöïc v. to have indigestion, to have stomach upset

boäi tín v., n. to violate a trust; a breach of trust

boäi tinh n. medal: danh döï boäi tinh medal of honor

boäi öôùc v. to break a promise, to violate a pledge

boân ba v. to run after [honors and wealth]; to wander, to roam

boán num. [SV töù] four: möôøi boán fourteen; boán möôi/chuïc forty

boàn n. vase, basin, bed: boàn hoa flower bed

boàn choàn adj. anxious, uneasy, worried

boån n. See baûn

boån phaän n. duty, obligation

boän adj. to be disorderly, confused: beà boän in a mess

boâng 1 n. cotton: aùo boâng quilted robe; chaên boâng padded blanket, quilt 2 n. [SV hoa] flower: phaùo boâng fireworks; vöôøn boâng park 3 n. [Fr. bon] coupon, ration card

boâng ñuøa v. to make a joke

boàng v. to carry [a child] in one’s arms; to present [arms suùng]

boàng boät adj. to be enthusiastic, ardent, eager, ebullient

boàng lai n. fairyland

boång adj. rising up [in the air], soaring skyward: leân boång xuoáng traàm [of voice, tone] to go up and down, be melodious

boång n. salary, payment, bonus, premium, allowance: löông boång salary, pay; höu boång pension

boãng adv. suddenly [precedes main verb]: boãng choác suddenly; boãng khoâng by accident

boät n. flour, powder, farina: boät mì wheat flour; boät ngoâ corn meal

boät phaùt v. to flare up

bô n. [Fr. beurre] butter

bô phôø adj. disheveled; to be tired, worn out

bô vô adj. abandoned, helpless, friendless, lonely

bôù intj. Hello! Hey!

bôø n. edge, rim, bank, limit, border: bôø coõi limits, frontier, territory; bôø beå, bôø bieån seashore, coastline; leân bôø to go ashore

bôû adj. friable, crumbly; to be gainful

bôõ ngôõ adj. new and inexperienced, at fault

bôï 1 v. to flatter servilely 2 v. to lift with both palms extended

bôi v. to swim (= loäi); to row/paddle (= cheøo): beå bôi swimming pool; bôi loäi swimming

bôùi v. to dig with fingers or paws; to dig up: bôùi chuyeän to dig up a story; bôùi vieäc to find work; bôùi loãi to find fault/mistake

bôûi conj. because, since, for; because of, by, on account of, due to: bôûi theá/vaäy therefore, because of that

bôm v., n. [Fr. pompe] to pump, to inflate; pump, inflator

bôøm n. mane: bôøm ngöïa mane of horse; bôøm sö töû mane of lion

bôïm adj. smart, clever, artful, skillful

bôõn v. to kid, to joke, to tease

bôïn n. dirt, stain, spot, impurity

bôùp v. (= bôïp) to slap, to smack

bôùt v. [opp. theâm] to lessen, to reduce, to lower, to decrease; to cut down; to be better in health: boû bôùt to reduce, to cut down; noùi bôùt lôøi to speak less, be less talkative; bôùt moàm, bôùt mieäng to talk less, to scold less

bu 1 n. mother 2 n. coop

buù v. to suckle: cho buù to nurse, to breast-feed; thoâi buù to wean

buù duø n. monkey: troâng nhö con buù duø to look like a monkey

buø 1 adj. [of hair ñaàu, toùc] ruffled, disheveled 2 v. to make up, to compensate for: chaúng/chaû buø vôùi in contrast with

buø ñaàu adj. very busy

buø khuù v. to have a rollicking time together; to enjoy each other’s company

buø loong n. [Fr. boulon] bolt

buø lu buø loa adj., n. crying lustily, wailing, moaning

buø nhìn n. scarecrow, dummy, puppet: chính phuû buø nhìn a puppet government

buø tröø v. to compensate, to make up: quyõ buø tröø compensation fund

buï adj. [of child] plump, chubby

buùa n. hammer: buùa ñinh claw hammer; treân ñe döôùi buùa between the hammer and the anvil

buøa n. [SV phuø] written charm, amulet: buøa hoä maïng/meänh, buøa hoä thaân talisman

buïc n. platform, rostrum, dais

buøi adj. having a nutty flavor or buttery taste

buøi nguøi adj. sad, melancholic

buïi 1 n., adj. dust; dusty: buïi baëm dusty 2 n. clump, bush, thicket, grove: buïi tre a bamboo grove

buïm v. to scoop up with one’s hands; to cup in one’s hands

buùn n. soft noodles made of rice flour, vermicelli: meàm nhö buùn to be soft as rice noodles

buøn n., adj. mud, mire; muddy

buøn laày adj. muddy, slushy: ñöôøng saù buøn laày muddy road

buûn ruûn adj. paralyzed, flabby, limp

buûn xæn adj. very stingy; mean

bung v. to burst open, to come apart

bung xung n. shield; puppet; scapegoat

buùng v. to flip one’s fingers/fillip, to flick

buøng v. to flare up, to blow up [precedes or follows main verb]: chaùy buøng to go up in flames

buûng adj. jaundiced, sallow

buïng n. belly, stomach, tummy; heart: xaáu buïng to be mean; ñau buïng to have a stomach upset

buoäc v. to bind, to fasten, to tie, to tie up; to compel, to force: buoäc toäi to accuse, to prosecute; buoäc loøng to be against one’s will

buoåi n. half a day, session, event, performance; time: caû hai buoåi all day, morning and afternoon; buoåi tröa noon; buoåi bình minh dawn; buoåi hoaøng hoân twilight; buoåi hoïp a meeting

buoàm n. sail: thuyeàn buoàm sailboat

buoân v. to buy in [in order to sell later]; to trade or to deal in: baùn buoân to sell wholesale; buoân baùn to carry on business; haõng buoân firm; tieäm buoân store; buoân ngöôøi slave trade; buoân son baùn phaán to be a prostitute

buoàn adj. sad: buoàn baõ, buoàn böïc, buoàn raàu uninteresting, ticklish; buoàn nguû sleepy; drowsy; buoàn noân, buoàn möûa nauseous, nauseating

buoàn böïc adj. annoyed, angry, displeased

buoàn raàu adj. sad, melancholic

buoâng v. [SV phoùng] to let go, to release; to lower [curtain, mosquito netting maøn], to drop

buoâng loûng v. to disengage, to spare

buoâng troâi v. to let drift, to loose

buoàng 1 n. [SV phoøng] room, chamber; cage: buoàng aên dining room; buoàng hoïc classroom; study room; buoàng khaùch living room; buoàng nguû bedroom 2 n. bunch: buoàng chuoái a bunch of bananas; buoàng phoåi lung; buoàng tröùng ovary

buoát v. [of pain] to be sharp, to be bitter: gioù laïnh buoát bitter cold wind

buoät v. to slip, to get loose

buùp n. bud, shoot: ngoùn tay buùp maêng tapered fingers

buùp beâ n. [Fr. poupeùe] doll

buùp pheâ n. cupboard

buùt n. writing brush, pen: buùt chì pencil; buùt möïc pen; neùt buùt handwriting, calligraphy; ngöôøi caàm buùt writer; tuyeät buùt fine piece of writing; chuû buùt editor [of newspaper]; buùt loâng writing brush

buùt chieán v. to engage in a polemic [between writers]

buùt danh n.