bóng
[ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˦]
The English word 'ball' is translated into Vietnamese as bóng. Wiktionary also lists banh.
Meaning: object, generally spherical, used for playing games (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bóng | [ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓawŋ͡m˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
|
| banh | [ʔɓajŋ̟˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓɛɲ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
dialectal |
This noun refers to a generally spherical object used for playing games. You can specify types of balls by combining the word with other descriptors: quả bóng rổ for a basketball, quả bóng đá for a football or soccer ball, bóng cao su for a rubber ball and bóng da for a leather ball. Additionally, the phrase đá bóng specifically means playing soccer.
Is it said differently in some regions?
banh is a dialectal form of the word.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a single ball, it is common to use the classifier quả before bóng to form quả bóng (the ball or a ball). To indicate that there are multiple balls, you can add the plural marker những before the classifier, resulting in những quả bóng (the balls).
Did you know?
- The word bóng has a semantic journey that traveled from 'shadow' to 'shaman' and eventually to 'homosexual'.
- While bóng means 'ball', it also means 'shadow' or 'shade' in Vietnamese.
Examples in context
- Sút quả bóng đi.Kick the ball.This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'Kick the ball' using bóng.Tatoeba #13344338 by leucammieuvu, translation #8916338 by CK
- Tom đã đá quả bóng.Tom kicked the ball.This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'Tom kicked the ball' using bóng.Tatoeba #11408951 by chaule3, translation #1024637 by CK
- Chuyền quả bóng đi!Pass the ball!This sentence is useful for learning how to say 'Pass the ball!' using bóng.Tatoeba #13340735 by leucammieuvu, translation #6575889 by Eccles17
- Bạn có quả bóng đá không?Do you have a football?
- Có, đây là quả bóng đá.Yes, here's a football.
- Tôi không biết chơi bóng rổ.I don't know how to play basketball.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Tuấn are playing in the park.
- MaiTuấn, nhìn kìa, quả bóng ở đâu rồi?Tuấn, look, where is the ball?
- TuấnNó nằm ở dưới cái cây kia.It is under that tree over there.
- MaiHãy lấy quả bóng về đây cho mình.Please bring the ball back to me.
- TuấnĐược rồi, mình sẽ lấy nó ngay.Okay, I will get it right now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “ball” translations and entries bóng, banh, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries banh, bóng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
