bút
[ʔɓut̚˧˦]
The English word "pen" can be translated into Vietnamese as bút. Wiktionary also lists bút mực and bút bi.
Meaning: writing tool (noun)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| bút | [ʔɓut̚˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓʊk̚˦˧˥] (Huế, narrow) |
| bút mực | [ʔɓut̚˧˦ mɨk̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓʊk̚˦˧˥ mɨk̚˨˩ʔ] (Huế, narrow) |
| bút bi | [ʔɓut̚˧˦ ʔɓi˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓʊk̚˦˧˥ ʔɓɪj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| bút máy | [ʔɓut̚˧˦ maj˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɓʊk̚˦˧˥ maj˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
| viết mực | [viət̚˧˦ mɨk̚˧˨ʔ] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
| viết máy | [viət̚˧˦ maj˧˦] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
In Vietnamese, bút is the general noun for a writing tool.
What does it mean word for word?
The term bút bi literally means "ball pen", where bi means ball. The term bút máy literally means "machine pen", referring to the mechanical nature of a fountain pen.
Which one should you use?
While bút is the general term, you can specify the type of pen: bút mực, bút bi is a ballpoint pen and bút máy is a fountain pen. If you want to say "pencil", you replace "mực" (ink) or "bi" (ball) with chì (graphite/lead) to form bút chì.
How does it change in a sentence?
The classifier cây is used before bút to indicate a single long, thin object like a pen.
Did you know?
- The term bi in bút bi was borrowed from the French word 'bille', which refers to a 'marble' or a 'ball'.
- Before it became the general term for 'pen', the word bút originally referred specifically to a writing brush.
Examples in context
- Cây bút có mực màu đen.The pen has black ink.This sentence uses bút to show the color of the ink inside.Tatoeba #11402359 by chaule3, translation #11402357 by chaule3
- "Cậu có bút không?" "Có.""Do you have a pen?" "Yes."This sentence uses bút in a question about possession.Tatoeba #3839501 by letuananh, translation #3835710 by Joseph
- Anh hãy viết bằng bút mực.Write with a pen.This sentence uses bút mực to specify the instrument used for writing.Tatoeba #4205327 by autuno, translation #1762148 by Amastan
- Tôi muốn mua một cây bút viết mới.I want to buy a new pen.
- Cho mình mượn cái bút mực được không?Can I borrow your pen?
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn is borrowing a writing tool from Chi at a desk.
- TuấnChi ơi, cho mình mượn cái bút nhé?Chi, can I borrow a pen?
- ChiĐây là bút của mình, bạn lấy đi.Here is my pen, go ahead and take it.
- TuấnCảm ơn Chi nhiều nhé.Thanks a lot, Chi.
- ChiKhông có gì đâu.You're welcome.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pen” translations and entries bút, bút mực, bút bi, bút máy, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (viết, mực, máy) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bi, bút, bút bi, bút máy, bút mực, máy, mực, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
