bên

Friendly

The Vietnamese word "bên" is a noun that generally means "side," "edge," or "face." It can refer to a physical side of an object or a metaphorical side in discussions or arguments.

Basic Usage

1. Physical Location: "bên" is often used to describe the side of a road, building, or any object.

   • Example: "hai bên đường" means "the two roadsides."
   • Example: "bên kia là núi, bên này là sông", which translates to "on the far side there are mountains, on the near side there is a river."

2. Metaphorical Context: It can also refer to sides in discussions or opinions.

   • Example: "mâu thuẫn bên trong" means "inside contradictions" or "internal contradictions."

Advanced Usage

• Legal Context: In legal discussions, "bên" can refer to parties involved in a case.

  • Example: "bên nguyên" means "the side (party) of the plaintiff," and "bên bị" means "the side (party) of the defendant."

• Proximity: "bên" can indicate closeness or adjacency.

  • Example: "tỉnh bên" means "the province located at one's side" or "the nearby province."
  • Example: "làng bên cạnh" means "the village located at one's side" or "the nearby village."

Variants and Related Words

• Bên ngoài: means "outside."
• Bên trong: means "inside."
• Bên phải: means "right side."
• Bên trái: means "left side."

Synonyms

• Mặt: which means "face" or "side" but is more commonly used when referring to the surface of an object.
• Cạnh: which means "edge" or "border," often used in a more geometric context.

Different Meanings

• Bên can refer to different "sides" in various contexts, such as:
  • Physical: the side of an object.
  • Conceptual: sides of an argument or opinion.
  • Geographical: referring to nearby places.

Conclusion

In summary, "bên" is a versatile word in Vietnamese that can be used in many contexts, from physical locations to discussions about sides in an argument.

Academic

noun

1. Side, edge, face
   • hai bên đường
     the two roadsides
   • bên kia là núi, bên này là sông
     on the far side there are mountains, on the near side there is a river
   • mâu thuẫn bên trong
     inside contradictions, inner contradictions, internal contradictions
   • bên nguyên bên bị
     the side (party) of the plaintiff and that of the defendant
   • đứng bên nhau
     to stand side by side
   • tỉnh bên
     the province located at one's side, the nearby province
   • làng bên cạnh
     the village located at one's side, the nearby village