bàn thờ
[ʔɓaːn˨˩ tʰəː˨˩]
The English word 'altar' is translated into Vietnamese as bàn thờ.
The term bàn thờ refers to a flat-topped structure used for religious rites. In Vietnamese culture, this term is most commonly used to refer to the ancestral altar found in many households.
Meaning: flat-topped structure used for religious rites (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of bàn (table) and thờ (to worship/venerate).
Which one should you use?
Đài thờ specifically refers to an elevated altar.
Did you know?
- It is common to see a small bàn thờ specifically for the God of Wealth, known as Thần Tài, placed on the floor near the entrance of businesses.
- Because the bàn thờ is considered the dwelling place of ancestors, it is common for families to avoid walking directly past or over it to show respect.
- The word thờ in bàn thờ is linked to the concept of 'serving' or 'attending to' someone, implying that the act of worship is a continuous process of caretaking for the spirits.
Examples in context
- Bàn thờ ở đâu?Where is the altar?
- Hãy đặt bức tượng thần trên đài thờPlace the deity statue on the altar
- Khi thăm đền, bạn sẽ nhìn thấy một bàn thờ được trang trí đầy màu sắc.When visiting a temple, you will see a beautifully decorated altar.
- Bàn thờ đặt ở phòng khách.The altar is placed in the living room.
- Tôi đang dọn dẹp bàn thờ.I am cleaning the altar.
- Trên bàn thờ có rất nhiều hoa.There are many flowers on the altar.
Example conversation
Mai and Nam are visiting a traditional Vietnamese home.
- MaiNam, nhìn bàn thờ ở kia kìa.Nam, look at the altar over there.
- NamNó trông rất trang nghiêm đúng không?It looks very solemn, doesn't it?
- MaiĐúng vậy, bàn thờ luôn sạch sẽ.Yes, the altar is always clean.
- NamTôi thấy rất ấn tượng.I find it very impressive.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “altar” translations and entries bàn thờ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bàn, bàn thờ, thờ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
