bắp
[ʔɓap̚˧˦]
The Vietnamese word for corn is bắp.
bắp refers to the cereal plant and its edible grains.
Which one should you use?
While bắp is common in the South, ngô is the standard term used in Northern Vietnam.
Is it said differently in some regions?
bắp is the most common term for corn in Southern Vietnamese dialects.
How does it change in a sentence?
To specify the whole ear of corn rather than just the grain, you might use bắp ngô or trái bắp. Adding the classifier trái (fruit/ear) before bắp is the standard way to refer to a single ear of corn.
Did you know?
- The word bắp is also used to describe a muscular bulge, such as a 'bắp bê' or a 'bắp tay' referring to the calf or bicep.
- The word bắp is used in the phrase bắp cải, which means 'cabbage', even though cabbage is not a cereal grain.
- Vietnamese cuisine features bắp xào, a popular street food where corn is stir-fried with shrimp and spring onions.
Examples in context
- Bắp là hạt giống quan trọng trong nước mỹ.Corn is an important crop in the United States.This sentence is useful for discussing the importance of bắp as a crop.Tatoeba #1575372 by trieuho, translation #38398 by darinmex
- Trong nghiên cứu của tôi, tôi đã tìm hiểu về nguồn gốc và tính chất của ngô.In my research, I have studied the origin and properties of corn.
- Tôi thích nhai bắp ngô khi xem phim.I enjoy eating corn kernels while watching movies.
- Ngày hôm qua, mẹ nấu món bắp luộc rất ngon.Yesterday, my mom cooked delicious boiled corn.
- Tôi muốn ăn bắp luộc.I want to eat boiled corn.
- Bắp này rất ngọt.This corn is very sweet.
Example conversation
Chi and Nam are at a street food stall.
- ChiAnh có muốn ăn bắp không?Do you want to eat corn?
- NamCó, tôi thích bắp rang bơ.Yes, I like buttered popcorn.
- ChiỞ đây có bắp rang ngon lắm.The popcorn here is very delicious.
- NamVậy chúng ta mua thử nhé.Then let's try buying some.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bắp, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
