bạn trai
[ʔɓaːn˧˨ʔ t͡ɕaːj˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for boyfriend is bạn trai. Wiktionary also lists người yêu.
Meaning: male partner in a romantic relationship (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bạn trai | [ʔɓaːn˧˨ʔ t͡ɕaːj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓaːŋ˨˩ʔ ʈaːj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| người yêu | [ŋɨəj˨˩ ʔiəw˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ŋɨj˦˩ ʔiw˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The term bạn trai is used to refer to a male partner in a romantic relationship. The term người yêu can also be used to mean lover or partner, and it is gender-neutral, meaning it can refer to either a boyfriend or a girlfriend.
Which one should you use?
While both terms can refer to a partner, bạn trai can sometimes sound slightly more casual or descriptive of a relationship status. In contrast, người yêu is a more romantic and intimate term, often translated as lover or sweetheart.
Did you know?
- The word người in người yêu shares a common linguistic root with the Vietnamese word ngươi, meaning 'pupil' of the eye.
Examples in context
- Em có bạn trai chưa?Do you have a boyfriend?This is useful for asking if someone has a bạn trai.Tatoeba #13472313 by leucammieuvu, translation #540088 by gracehero
- Tôi chưa từng có bạn trai.I've never had a boyfriend.This is useful for saying you have never had a bạn trai.Tatoeba #13918407 by leucammieuvu, translation #5828327 by OsoHombre
- Tôi đang đợi bạn trai của tôi.I'm waiting for my boyfriend.This is useful for saying you are waiting for your bạn trai.Tatoeba #1552441 by trieuho, translation #1549229 by CK
- Đây là người yêu của tôi, anh ấy rất tốt bụng.This is my boyfriend, he's very kind.
- Bạn trai của mình rất dễ thương.My boyfriend is very cute.
- Bạn trai mình đã chuẩn bị một bữa tối tuyệt vời cho mình.My boyfriend prepared a fantastic dinner for me.
- 15 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are having coffee at a cafe.
- HùngLan ơi, bạn trai của cậu đâu?Lan, where is your boyfriend?
- LanAnh ấy đang đi mua đồ cho tôi.He is out buying things for me.
- HùngBạn trai cậu thật là chu đáo.Your boyfriend is so thoughtful.
- LanCảm ơn Hùng nhé!Thanks, Hung!
Sources
- Wiktionary, “boyfriend” translations and entries bạn trai, người yêu, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bạn, bạn trai, người, người yêu, trai, yêu, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
