bạn béo quá
[ʔɓaːn˧˨ʔ ʔɓɛw˧˦ kwaː˧˦]word by word
In Vietnamese, "you're fat" is said as bạn béo quá.
This phrase is a statement used to tell someone that they are overweight. While bạn is a standard way to address someone as "you", using it with béo quá can sound blunt or even rude depending on your relationship with the person you are speaking to.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bạn (you), béo (fat) and quá (too/very/excessively).
Which one should you use?
The word mập is a common synonym for béo used to describe being fat or chubby, and it is often used in Southern Vietnamese dialects.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The synonym mập is frequently used in Southern Vietnamese dialects.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective béo can be used with the intensifier quá at the end of the sentence to mean "too fat" or "very fat".
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly try to translate "you are" literally using là, resulting in phrases like bạn là béo. In Vietnamese, you do not use là before an adjective like béo.
Did you know?
- In many Vietnamese families, telling a child they are béo is often a compliment meaning they look healthy and prosperous rather than an insult.
- The word quá is a Sino-Vietnamese term from 過 and exists as a doublet with the word qua, which means 'to pass' or 'to cross'.
- Because Vietnamese uses many different pronouns based on age and hierarchy, substituting bạn for a word like em or anh can completely change whether the phrase sounds like a joke between friends or a harsh insult.
Examples in context
- Bạn có thân hình mập mạp.You have a chubby figure.
- Bạn có thân hình béo phì.You have an obese physique.
- Bạn béo quá.You're fat.
- Dạo này bạn béo quá.You've gotten too fat lately.
- Nhìn kìa, bạn béo quá rồi.Look, you're too fat now.
Example conversation
Nam and Chi are talking about their health.
- NamChi, bạn béo quá rồi đấy.Chi, you're too fat now.
- ChiSao bạn lại nói thế với tôi?Why would you say that to me?
- NamTôi chỉ muốn tốt cho sức khỏe của bạn thôi.I just want what is best for your health.
- ChiTôi sẽ bắt đầu ăn kiêng từ ngày mai.I will start dieting tomorrow.
