bãi biển
[ʔɓaːj˦ˀ˥ ʔɓiən˧˩]
The English word "beach" is translated into Vietnamese as bãi biển.
The noun bãi biển refers specifically to a sandy shore.
Meaning: sandy shore (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term is composed of bãi (an open area or field) and biển (sea).
Which one should you use?
While bãi biển refers specifically to the sandy area used for recreation, bờ biển refers more broadly to the coastline or the edge of the sea.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bãi biển is used for both singular and plural contexts without changing its form.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, the concept of the 'beach' is often tied to the làng chài, or fishing village, meaning the shore is viewed as a place of labor and livelihood rather than just recreation.
- In Vietnam, you will often see beaches described as biển xanh, cát trắng, nắng vàng, which means 'blue sea, white sand, yellow sun'.
- The word biển has historical roots that link it to a Sino-Vietnamese word written as 匾.
Examples in context
- Ra bãi biển đi lối nào?Which way is the beach?This sentence is useful for asking for directions to the bãi biển.Tatoeba #510370 by autuno, translation #22175 by CK
- Bãi biển cách đây bao xa?How far is it to the beach from here?This sentence is useful for asking about the distance to the bãi biển.Tatoeba #11373384 by chaule3, translation #11373383 by chaule3
- Bãi biển cát trắng rất đẹp.The white sandy beach is very beautiful.This sentence is useful for describing the beauty of a bãi biển.Tatoeba #11296783 by chaule3, translation #11296772 by chaule3
- Tôi thích đi tắm biển vào ngày nắng.I enjoy going to the beach on sunny days.
- Chúng ta hãy dạo chơi bên bờ biển.Let's take a stroll along the beach.
- Chúng mình hẹn nhau ở bãi biển nha!Let's meet at the beach, okay!
- Bãi tắm ở đây rất đẹp.The beach here is very beautiful.
- 11 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Tuấn are planning a weekend trip.
- ChiCuối tuần này mình đi bãi biển nhé!Let's go to the beach this weekend!
- TuấnÝ kiến hay đấy, Chi.That's a great idea, Chi.
- ChiTuấn biết bãi biển nào gần đây không?Do you know any beaches near here, Tuấn?
- TuấnCó một bãi biển rất yên tĩnh ở phía Nam.There is a very quiet beach to the south.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “beach” translations and entries bãi biển, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries biển, bãi, bãi biển, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
