Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bánh | [ʔɓajŋ̟˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓɛɲ˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| bánh ngọt | [ʔɓajŋ̟˧˦ ŋɔt̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓɛɲ˦˧˥ ŋɔk̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| bánh ga tô | [ʔɓajŋ̟˧˦ ɣaː˧˧ to˧˧] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
| bánh kem | [ʔɓajŋ̟˧˦ kɛm˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓɛɲ˦˧˥ kɛm˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
The word bánh is a broad category that can refer to cakes, breads, pastries or even savory rice-based snacks depending on the context.
What does it mean word for word?
The word bánh itself is a general term that can mean cake, bread, pastry or a savory snack depending on the context.
Which one should you use?
While bánh is the general term, other forms provide more specific descriptions. Bánh ngọt specifically denotes a sweet dessert to distinguish it from savory bánh (like rice cakes or savory pastries). Bánh kem refers specifically to cakes topped with or containing cream, often used for birthdays. Bánh ga tô is a loanword from the French 'gâteau' used to describe more formal, layered or sophisticated cakes. Note that Bánh bao refers to a type of steamed bun or dumpling in Vietnamese cuisine.
How does it change in a sentence?
When referring to a specific, singular piece of cake, Vietnamese speakers often add the classifier cái before bánh to say cái bánh.
Did you know?
- Despite a popular folk belief that bánh comes from the French word 'pain', the term appears in Vietnamese texts from the 12th century, long before French arrival.
- Because bánh covers so many items, a Vietnamese speaker might refer to a pizza or a pancake as a type of bánh.
Examples in context
- Bánh có vị ngọt.The cake is sweet.This sentence shows how to describe the taste of bánh.Tatoeba #11319162 by mqd, translation #13723935 by an_hien
- Cô ấy thích bánh.She is fond of cake.This sentence is useful for expressing an affection for bánh.Tatoeba #9007283 by dotheduyet1999, translation #310779 by CC
- Bánh này rất ngọt.This cake is very sweet.This sentence shows how to emphasize the sweetness of a specific bánh.Tatoeba #11452751 by chaule3, translation #61169 by jakov
- Tôi thích bánh sô-cô-la.I like chocolate cake.
- Bánh kemCream cake
- Bánh bông lanSponge cake
- Bánh bao cốmSteamed dumpling filled with young rice.
- Cho em một cái bánh.Give me a cake.
- Cái bánh này ngon quá.This cake is delicious.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Minh are at a bakery choosing a snack.
- ChiChi muốn ăn bánh.Chi wants to eat cake.
- MinhAnh muốn ăn bánh gì?What kind of cake do you want to eat?
- ChiMột chiếc bánh ngọt nhé.A sweet cake, please.
- MinhĐược, để anh mua cho em.Okay, let me buy it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “cake” translations and entries bánh, bánh ngọt, bánh kem, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bánh, ga, tô) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bánh, bánh kem, bánh ngọt, ga, kem, ngọt, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
