bạn
[ʔɓaːn˧˨ʔ]
The English pronoun "you" is translated as bạn in Vietnamese.
In Vietnamese, "you" is rarely a single universal word and changes based on the age and social status of the listener. bạn is used to address peers or friends of similar age.
Meaning: subject pronoun: the person being addressed (pron)
Which one should you use?
While bạn is a common way to say "you" to a friend, it is not used to address elders or superiors, who require different pronouns like anh, chị or ông/bà.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bạn is considered informal and is used among peers. For a respectful and formal way to say "you" when addressing a group of people or someone of high social status, use quý vị. To address younger siblings, younger friends or someone in an intimate relationship, use Em.
Did you know?
- The word bạn can originate from two completely different Chinese characters: one meaning 'companion' and another meaning 'rebel'.
- Because Vietnamese uses kinship terms for 'you', speakers often refer to themselves as 'older brother' or 'younger sister' in the first person to match the pronoun they used for the other person.
- In intense arguments, speakers may abandon bạn and switch to pronouns like mày and tao, which are so aggressive they can signal a total breakdown of the relationship.
Examples in context
- Bạn bơ tôi à?Are you ignoring me?This sentence shows how to use bạn when asking if someone is ignoring you.Tatoeba #8948886 by dotheduyet1999, translation #5820232 by OsoHombre
- Ý bạn là sao?What are you implying?This sentence uses bạn to ask about someone's implication.Tatoeba #9017797 by dotheduyet1999, translation #38923 by Swift
- Bạn bị ngu à?Are you stupid?This sentence uses bạn in a rude or aggressive way to ask if someone is stupid.Tatoeba #13640366 by leucammieuvu, translation #2711995 by CK
- Quý vị cần thông tin thêm, xin hãy liên hệ trực tiếp với chúng tôi.If you need further information, please contact us directly.
- Các bạn đến từ đâu?Where are you all from?
- Em có khỏe không?How are you?
- Anh/chị có thích món ăn này không?Do you like this food?
- Anh ơi, anh đi đâu vậy?Hey, where are you going?
- Mày có muốn đi xem phim không?Do you want to go watch a movie?
- Bạn cần giúp gì không?Do you need any help?
- 2452 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are meeting for the first time at a cafe.
- NamBạn tên là gì?What is your name?
- ChiMình tên là Chi, còn bạn?My name is Chi, and you?
- NamMình là Nam. Bạn khỏe không?I am Nam. How are you?
- ChiMình khỏe, cảm ơn bạn.I am well, thank you.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry bạn, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bạn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
