bơ
[ʔɓəː˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for avocado is bơ.
bơ is a noun referring to the fruit. In Vietnam, avocado is very commonly consumed as a thick smoothie called sinh tố bơ.
Meaning: fruit (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word bơ can mean both 'avocado' and 'butter' depending on the context.
Did you know?
- In modern Vietnamese slang, bơ can be used as a verb meaning 'to ignore' or 'to give someone the cold shoulder'.
- The word bơ is actually a loanword from the French word beurre, meaning 'butter'.
- The use of bơ for both butter and avocado stems from the perceived similarity in their rich and fatty consistency.
Examples in context
- Mua bơ về làm sinh tốBuy avocados to make a smoothie.
- Cho tôi xin một trái bơGive me one avocado.
- Đi chợ mua chút bơGo to the market to buy some avocados.
- Tôi thích ăn bơ.I like eating avocado.
- Quả bơ này rất ngon.This avocado is very delicious.
- Mẹ tôi mua bơ ở chợ.My mother bought avocado at the market.
Example conversation
Lan and Minh are at a fruit stall.
- LanAnh có thấy bơ ở đâu không?Do you see any avocado anywhere?
- MinhCó, bơ ở đằng kia kìa.Yes, the avocado is over there.
- LanNhững quả bơ này trông thật tươi.These avocados look so fresh.
- MinhĐể tôi mua cho cô nhé.Let me buy some for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “avocado” translations and entries bơ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bơ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
