bạc
[ʔɓaːk̚˧˨ʔ]
The English word "silver" is translated into Vietnamese as bạc.
bạc is used to refer to the metal silver. If you want to specifically refer to the silver color rather than the metal, it is common to use màu bạc.
Meaning: metal (noun)
Which one should you use?
The word bạc is polysemous and can mean both the metal "silver" and the color "silver/silvery".
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the word bạc can also mean 'ungrateful' or 'cold-hearted'. This is used in the phrase bạc bẽo to describe someone who forgets a kindness.
- In traditional Vietnamese culture, wearing bạc jewelry is often believed to protect the wearer from illness or 'wind' spirits.
- The word bạc is a homonym for the word 'to gamble'. While they are spelled the same in many contexts, they come from entirely different linguistic roots.
Examples in context
- Bạc ở trên bànThe silver is on the table.This sentence shows the location of the bạc.Tatoeba #6546579 by duythanh, translation #2178281 by CM
- Chiếc nhẫn được làm bằng bạc.The ring is made of silver.This sentence describes a ring made of bạc.Tatoeba #11295244 by chaule3, translation #11295190 by chaule3
- Tôi đang mang trang sức bạc của tôi.I am wearing my silver jewelry.This sentence describes wearing bạc jewelry.Tatoeba #3313550 by trieuho, translation #1728114 by Amastan
- Em thích chiếc nhẫn bạc mới của anh không?Do you like my new silver ring?
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are at a jewelry shop.
- NamChi ơi, em thấy chiếc vòng bạc này thế nào?Chi, what do you think of this silver bracelet?
- ChiNó đẹp quá, nhưng là bạc thật không anh?It is so beautiful, but is it real silver, Nam?
- NamChắc chắn là bạc thật, anh đã xem kỹ rồi.It is certainly real silver, I checked it carefully.
- ChiVậy thì chúng ta hãy mua nó đi.In that case, let's buy it.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silver” translations and entries bạc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bạc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
