ba
[ʔɓaː˧˧]
The Vietnamese word for "three" is ba.
ba is the cardinal number 3. If you are referring specifically to the digit or figure 3 as a noun, you use số ba.
Meaning: cardinal number 3 (num)
Related words
Did you know?
- In Vietnamese, the word ba is a homonym that can mean both the number 'three' and 'father'.
- The word ba shares an ancient root with the word for 'three' in Khmer បី and the Mon language ပိ. These languages belong to the same broad Austroasiatic family.
- Despite the phonetic similarity, the connection between the Vietnamese number ba and the French word 'papa' is purely coincidental.
Examples in context
- Có ba cái nút.There are three buttons.This sentence shows how to use ba when counting objects like buttons.Tatoeba #12132321 by phongvu, translation #4496210 by CK
- Có ba tuỳ chọn.There are three options.This sentence demonstrates using ba to express the number of options.Tatoeba #13271001 by leucammieuvu, translation #4013948 by CK
- Tôi có ba em trai.I have three younger brothers.This sentence illustrates the use of ba when counting people, such as brothers.Tatoeba #3839496 by letuananh, translation #3835781 by Eldad
- 139 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Hương are ordering drinks at a cafe.
- HùngCho mình ba ly cà phê.Give me three cups of coffee.
- HươngBạn muốn uống cà phê sữa hay đen?Do you want milk coffee or black coffee?
- HùngCà phê sữa nhé.Milk coffee, please.
- HươngĐược, đợi mình một chút.Okay, wait for me a moment.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “three” translations and entries ba, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ba, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
