ngân hàng
[ŋən˧˧ haːŋ˨˩]
In Vietnamese, the word for bank is ngân hàng. Wiktionary also lists nhà băng.
Meaning: institution (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| ngân hàng | [ŋən˧˧ haːŋ˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ŋəŋ˧˧ haːŋ˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| nhà băng | [ɲaː˨˩ ʔɓaŋ˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ɲaː˦˩ ʔɓaŋ˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The term ngân hàng refers to both a financial institution and the physical building itself. It is commonly used in phrases such as Thẻ Ngân Hàng for a bank card (like a credit or debit card) and Tài Khoản Ngân Hàng for a bank account.
Which one should you use?
ngân hàng is the standard, modern term used for a financial institution, while nhà băng is a more old-fashioned or literary way to say bank.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form nhà băng is considered more literary and is found in literature or older contexts rather than in everyday modern conversation.
Did you know?
- The modern term ngân hàng is actually a Sino-Vietnamese transcription of the Japanese word 'ginkō'.
- The term nhà băng is a linguistic hybrid, combining a native Vietnamese word for 'house' with a loanword from the French word 'banque'.
Examples in context
- Chị của tôi làm thư ký ở ngân hàng.My sister works in a bank as a secretary.This sentence shows someone working as a secretary at a ngân hàng.Tatoeba #1550453 by trieuho, translation #245598 by CK
- Hôm nay tôi cần đến ngân hàng để rút tiền.I need to go to the bank to withdraw money today.This sentence describes the need to go to a ngân hàng to withdraw money.Tatoeba #11325111 by chaule3, translation #11325108 by chaule3
- Anh ta cải trang thành bảo vệ vào ngân hàng.He went into the bank in the disguise of a guard.This sentence describes a person entering a ngân hàng while disguised as a guard.Tatoeba #9733960 by dotheduyet1999, translation #238406 by CM
- Tôi cần đến ngân hàng để rút tiền.I need to go to the bank to withdraw money.
- Ngân hàng mở cửa từ 8 giờ sáng đến 5 giờ chiều.The bank is open from 8 am to 5 pm.
- Nhà băng này có dịch vụ cho vay mua nhà.This bank offers home mortgage services.
- Máy rút tiền này không thể nhận các loại thẻ ngoại quốc.This ATM doesn't accept international cards.
- Tôi muốn kiểm tra số dư trong tài khoản ngân hàng.I want to check the balance in my bank account.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Lan are walking in the city center.
- MinhLan ơi, bạn có biết ngân hàng nào ở đây không?Lan, do you know any bank around here?
- LanCó một ngân hàng ngay góc đường kia kìa.There is a bank right at that street corner.
- MinhCảm ơn bạn, tôi cần đến đó ngay.Thank you, I need to go there right away.
- LanChúc Minh may mắn nhé!Good luck, Minh!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “bank” translations and entries ngân hàng, nhà băng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries băng, hàng, ngân, ngân hàng, nhà, nhà băng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
