bận
[ʔɓən˧˨ʔ]
The English word 'busy' is translated into Vietnamese as bận. Wiktionary also lists bận rộn.
Meaning: engaged or preoccupied (adj)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bận | [ʔɓən˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓəŋ˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| bận rộn | [ʔɓən˧˨ʔ zon˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓəŋ˨˩ʔ ʐoŋ˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
Both bận and bận rộn are used to express being engaged or preoccupied. You can specify that you are busy with work or tasks by following bận with the word việc to form bận việc.
Which one should you use?
The two-syllable form bận rộn is more descriptive and is often used to describe a busy lifestyle or a bustling environment.
How does it change in a sentence?
To emphasize that someone is busy right at this moment, you can add the progressive marker đang before bận to form đang bận.
Did you know?
- Saying bận is often used as a social 'face-saving' tool to decline an offer. It allows a speaker to avoid the bluntness of the word 'no' by blaming their schedule instead of their preference.
- The word rộn in the phrase bận rộn contains a sensory element of 'noise' or 'commotion', implying that a busy state is not just about tasks but also a sense of auditory agitation.
- Although many Vietnamese words have Chinese origins, the word bận is actually a native word that is not related to the Chinese character for 'busy', 忙 (máng).
Examples in context
- Tôi thích bận rộn.I like being busy.This sentence shows a preference for being busy using bận rộn.Tatoeba #4604707 by khoaharp, translation #1887532 by CK
- Tom nói anh ấy bận.Tom says he's busy.This sentence is a way to report that someone is bận.Tatoeba #9039520 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2647882 by CK
- Anh ta luôn bận rộn.He's always busy.This sentence describes a state of always being bận rộn.Tatoeba #5150486 by truongap, translation #1691357 by aka_aj
- Tôi xin lỗi, tôi đang bận. Chúng ta có thể nói chuyện sau không?I'm sorry, I'm busy. Can we talk later?
- Xin lỗi, tôi đang có việc. Rất tiếc là tôi không thể giúp bạn được.Sorry, I'm busy with work. Unfortunately, I can't help you.
- Xin lỗi, mình đang bận rộn, lần sau nhé!Sorry, I'm really busy at the moment. Maybe next time!
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hương calls Nam to ask if he can meet for coffee.
- HươngNam có rảnh không? Đi uống cà phê nhé.Are you free, Nam? Let's go for coffee.
- NamXin lỗi Hương, bây giờ tôi đang bận quá.Sorry Huong, I am too busy right now.
- HươngVậy khi nào bạn hết bận?Then when will you stop being busy?
- NamChiều nay tôi sẽ rảnh.I will be free this afternoon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “busy” translations and entries bận, bận rộn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bận, bận rộn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
