Definition

1. Noun:
   • A group, band, or gang: Refers to a collection of people, often with a shared characteristic, activity, or purpose. It can be neutral, but frequently carries a negative or informal connotation, implying a clique or a troublesome set of individuals.
   • They / We (as a group): Used colloquially as a first-person or third-person plural pronoun to refer to "us" or "them" as a collective entity, often with a sense of camaraderie or, conversely, disparagement.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Group):

  • Một bọn trẻ con chơi ngoài sân. (A band of children was playing in the courtyard.)
  • Bọn bán nước sẽ bị trừng trị. (The traitors will be punished.)
  • Cảnh sát bắt giữ một bọn kẻ cắp. (The police arrested a gang of thieves.)

• Noun (Pronoun):

  • Bọn họ đã đồng ý. (They [as a group] have agreed.)
  • Bọn mình đi ăn trưa nhé? (Shall we [our group] go for lunch?)
  • Bọn tôi sẽ đến đúng giờ. (We [our group] will arrive on time.)

Advanced Usage

• The word "bọn" is inherently plural. It cannot refer to a single person.
• Its tone is highly dependent on context. When referring to one's own group (e.g., ), it can sound casual and inclusive. When referring to others, it often sounds dismissive, derogatory, or criminalizing (e.g., - the swindlers, - that bunch).

Variants and Related Words

• Bè lũ (n): A stronger, more explicitly negative term meaning a faction, clique, or cabal (e.g., - reactionary clique).
• Nhóm (n): A more neutral and formal term for a group or team, without the negative connotation (e.g., - research group).
• Đám (n): A crowd or bunch, often disorganized or looked down upon (e.g., - the noisy crowd).

Synonyms

• Gang: A group of people, especially involved in criminal activity.
• Band: A group of people with a common purpose.
• Crew: A group of people working together.
• Clique: A small, exclusive group of people.
• They / We (when used as a colloquial pronoun).

Related Idioms

• Bọn đầu trâu mặt ngựa: Literally "a gang of buffalo-headed, horse-faced people." An idiom describing a group of hooligans, ruffians, or very wicked people.
  • Bọn đầu trâu mặt ngựa đó lại gây rối. (That gang of hooligans is causing trouble again.)

noun

1. Gang, band, group
   • một bọn trẻ con chơi ngoài sân
     a band of children was playing in the court-yard
   • đi thành từng bọn năm bảy người
     to march in group of 5 to 7 people
   • bọn bán nước
     traitors
   • bọn họ
     they
   • bọn mình
     we