bài giảng
[ʔɓaːj˨˩ zaːŋ˧˩]
The English word "lecture" can be translated into Vietnamese as bài giảng.
Bài giảng is primarily used in academic contexts, such as in universities or formal training sessions.
Meaning: a spoken lesson (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The term bài giảng is composed of bài (lesson/article) and giảng (to explain/to lecture).
Which one should you use?
While bài giảng refers to the lecture itself, giảng bài is the verb phrase used to describe the act of lecturing or explaining a lesson.
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese culture, a teacher's bài giảng is traditionally viewed as an authoritative source of truth, making it rare for students to openly challenge the lecturer during the session.
- The word bài in bài giảng is a Sino-Vietnamese term that also means 'card' or 'tile' when referring to games like mahjong.
- If you want to say 'to take a lecture' (to attend one), you would use the verb nghe (to listen) rather than a verb for 'to take' or 'to receive'.
Examples in context
- Anh ấy đã hắng giọng trước khi bắt đầu bài giảng.He cleared his throat before starting the lecture.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use the term bài giảng in a sentence.Tatoeba #9014818 by dotheduyet1999, translation #296371 by CS
- Hôm nay giáo viên đã giảng bài rất thú vị.Today the teacher delivered a very interesting lecture.
- Chúng tôi đã nhận được thông báo về buổi giảng về văn học.We have received a notification about the literature lecture.
- Thầy giáo đang chuẩn bị buổi học về lịch sử cho chúng ta.The teacher is preparing a history lecture for us.
- Bài giảng này rất thú vị.This lecture is very interesting.
- Tôi đã ghi chép lại bài giảng.I took notes during the lecture.
- 1 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chi and Hùng are talking about their university course after class.
- ChiHùng thấy bài giảng hôm nay thế nào?Hùng, how did you find today's lecture?
- Hùng HungNó hơi khó nhưng rất bổ ích.It was a bit difficult but very useful.
- ChiCô ấy có giao bài tập không?Did she assign any homework?
- Hùng HungCó, cô ấy vừa nói xong.Yes, she just finished mentioning it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lecture” translations and entries bài giảng, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bài, giảng, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
