tốt bụng
[tot̚˧˦ ʔɓʊwŋ͡m˧˨ʔ]
The English word "kind" is translated into Vietnamese as tốt bụng.
tốt bụng is used to describe a person's inherent benevolence or generosity rather than a single kind act.
Meaning: benevolent, courteous, friendly, generous (adj)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase tốt bụng is composed of tốt (good) and bụng (belly/stomach/heart), literally meaning "good-hearted".
Which one should you use?
tốt bụng specifically refers to a person's kind nature or character, whereas tốt alone is a general adjective for "good".
How does it change in a sentence?
To express that someone is "so kind" or "very kind" in an emotive way, you can add the particle quá after tốt bụng.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Bạn rất tốt bụng.You're very kind.This sentence is useful for telling someone they are very kind using tốt bụng.Tatoeba #8958637 by dotheduyet1999, translation #688006 by lukaszpp
- Sao bạn lại tốt bụng thế?Why are you being so kind?This sentence is useful for asking why someone is being so kind using tốt bụng.Tatoeba #13870198 by leucammieuvu, translation #2883029 by CK
- Mẹ vợ tôi tốt bụng lắm đấy.My mother-in-law is kind.This sentence is useful for describing a mother-in-law as kind using tốt bụng.Tatoeba #9739094 by dotheduyet1999, translation #6330458 by RudeGuyGames
- Bạn ấy rất tốt bụng.He/She is very kind.
- Em bé của họ rất hiền lành.Their baby is very kind.
- Anh/Chị ấy rất hào hiệp và tốt bụng.He/She is very heroic and kind.
- 6 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng is thanking Lan for helping him with some heavy bags.
- HùngCảm ơn Lan nhé.Thank you, Lan.
- LanKhông có gì đâu.It was nothing.
- HùngBạn thật tốt bụng.You are so kind.
- LanHùng đừng khách sáo thế.Hung, don't be so formal.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry tốt bụng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bụng, tốt, tốt bụng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
