bi-a
[ʔɓi˧˧ ʔaː˧˧]
The English phrase 'billiards' is translated into Vietnamese as bi-a. Wiktionary also lists trò chơi bi-a.
Meaning: any cue sport (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bi-a | [ʔɓi˧˧ ʔaː˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓɪj˧˧ ʔaː˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| trò chơi bi-a |
The term refers to any cue sport.
Which one should you use?
bi-a is the common name for the sport, while trò chơi bi-a specifically translates to 'the game of billiards'.
Did you know?
- The Vietnamese term bi-a is actually a phonetic loanword from the French word 'billard'.
- Vietnamese billard halls are often social hubs where people gather for coffee and cigarettes while playing.
- The Vietnamese term bi-a uses a hyphen to maintain the phonetic structure of the original French loanword.
Examples in context
- Chúng tôi sắp mở một câu lạc bộ bi-a tại thành phố này.We are about to open a billiards club in this city.
- Bạn thích đánh bi không?Do you like playing billiards?
- Tôi thích chơi bi rất nhiều.I really love playing billiards.
- Tôi thích chơi bi-a.I like playing billiards.
- Họ đang chơi bi-a ở câu lạc bộ.They are playing billiards at the club.
- Trận bi-a vừa rồi rất hay.The last billiards match was very good.
Example conversation
Hùng and Mai are deciding what to do on the weekend.
- HùngMai ơi, cuối tuần này đi chơi bi-a không?Mai, do you want to go play billiards this weekend?
- MaiEm không biết chơi bi-a đâu.I don't know how to play billiards.
- HùngAnh sẽ dạy em chơi.I will teach you how to play.
- MaiVậy thì được, anh Hùng nhé.Then that sounds good, Hùng.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “billiards” translations and entries bi-a, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bi-a, chơi, trò, CC BY-SA 4.0.
