bóng bay
[ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˦ ʔɓaj˧˧]
The English word balloon is translated into Vietnamese as bóng bay. Wiktionary also lists bóng and bong bóng.
Meaning: child’s toy (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bóng bay | [ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˦ ʔɓaj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓawŋ͡m˦˧˥ ʔɓaj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| bóng | [ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓawŋ͡m˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| bong bóng | [ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓawŋ͡m˧˧ ʔɓawŋ͡m˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
The phrase is used to refer to a child's toy.
What does it mean word for word?
The term bóng bay is a compound of bóng, meaning ball and bay, meaning to fly.
Which one should you use?
Use bóng bay specifically for inflatable balloons. In contrast, quả bóng refers to a standard ball used in sports. The term bong bóng can refer to both a balloon and a soap bubble.
How does it change in a sentence?
In a sentence, bóng bay is often preceded by the classifier quả to indicate a single unit of the object, forming quả bóng bay.
Did you know?
- In a completely different context, bóng is used as a slang term for a homosexual person, similar to the English word 'queer'.
- The word bóng was historically used to refer to a 'shamaness' or 'sorceress'.
- The word bóng in bóng bay originates from an ancient term meaning 'bladder'.
Examples in context
- Quả bóng bay phát nổ.The balloon popped.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the word bóng in context.Tatoeba #13340130 by leucammieuvu, translation #9689196 by megamanenm
- Em mua cho anh chiếc bóng bay đẹp để chúng ta cùng chơi.I bought a beautiful balloon for you so we can play together.
- Tôi muốn mua một chiếc bóng bay.I want to buy a balloon.
- Đứa bé đang cầm chiếc bóng bay.The child is holding a balloon.
Example conversation
Chi and Minh are at a birthday party.
- ChiMinh nhìn những quả bóng bay kìa!Minh, look at those balloons!
- MinhChúng đẹp quá, Chi nhỉ?They are so beautiful, aren't they, Chi?
- ChiAnh có muốn một quả bóng bay không?Do you want a balloon?
- MinhCó, anh thích màu xanh.Yes, I like the blue one.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “balloon” translations and entries bóng bay, bóng, bong bóng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bay, bong bóng, bóng, bóng bay, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
