em yêu
[ʔɛm˧˧ ʔiəw˧˧]word by word
The English phrase "babe" can be translated into Vietnamese as em yêu.
em yêu is used as an intimate term of endearment for a romantic partner, typically used when the speaker is male or older than the person they are addressing.
Meaning: attractive person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of em, a pronoun for a younger person or a female partner and yêu, meaning to love, which literally translates to "beloved younger person".
Which one should you use?
While em yêu is used for a female or younger partner, the equivalent term used for a male or older partner is anh yêu. Additionally, Bé yêu is an informal term used specifically for females or younger individuals.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
em yêu is an intimate and informal term of endearment used between romantic partners.
Did you know?
- In the past, some Vietnamese couples stopped using romantic terms like em yêu after having children and instead called each other thầy em and đẻ em, meaning 'father of the child' and 'mother of the child'.
Examples in context
- Anh yêu, xin lỗi vì đã làm em buồn.Darling, I'm sorry for making you sad.
- Chị yêu, em có thể giúp được gì cho chị không?Darling, can I help you with anything?
- Em yêu, hôm nay anh đã nhớ đến em nhiều lắm.Babe, today I've missed you a lot.
- Bé yêu, cảm ơn em đã đến bên anh.Babe, thank you for being by my side.
- Em yêu ơi, nhìn em này.Babe, look at me.
- Chào em yêu của anh.Hello, my babe.
Example conversation
Minh is greeting Mai at a cafe.
- MaiChào anh, anh đợi lâu chưa?Hi, have you been waiting long?
- MinhKhông sao, chào em yêu.It's okay, hello babe.
- MaiHôm nay anh mặc đồ đẹp quá.You are dressed so nicely today.
- MinhVì anh muốn làm em yêu vui.Because I want to make babe happy.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (em, yêu) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries em, yêu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
