Definition

1. Noun:

   • Shadow; Shade: A dark area or shape produced by an object blocking light.
   • Reflection; Image: A likeness or image of something seen on a reflective surface or in water.
   • Ball; Sphere: A spherical object used in sports and games, especially a football (soccer ball).
   • Bulb: The glass part of an electric light or lamp.
   • Trace; Figure; Silhouette: A faint, brief, or indirect glimpse of a person or thing.
   • Protection; Influence: The sheltering influence or favor of a powerful person.
   • Gloss; Shine; Polish: A smooth, shiny, or glossy surface appearance.

2. Adjective/Adverb:

   • Shiny; Polished; Glossy: Having a smooth, reflective surface.
   • Figurative; Indirect: Referring to a meaning that is not literal, but implied or metaphorical.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Shadow/Shade):
  • Ngồi dưới bóng cây. (Sitting in the shade of the tree.)
  • Chạy theo bóng mình. (Running after one's own shadow.)
• Noun (Reflection):
  • Nhìn thấy bóng mình trong gương. (To see one's reflection in the mirror.)
• Noun (Ball):
  • Cậu bé đá bóng. (The boy kicks the ball/plays football.)
• Noun (Bulb):
  • Thay bóng đèn mới. (Replace the light bulb.)
• Noun (Trace/Silhouette):
  • Thấp thoáng bóng người. (A human figure is faintly visible.)
• Adjective (Shiny):
  • Chiếc xe bóng loáng. (The car is shiny.)
• Adjective (Figurative):
  • Nghĩa bóng của từ này. (The figurative meaning of this word.)

Advanced Usage

• "bóng cây": tree shade.
  • Nghỉ trưa dưới bóng cây. (Take a nap under the tree shade.)
• "bóng hình": image; figure; silhouette (often poetic).
  • Bóng hình ai thoáng qua. (Someone's figure passed by.)
• "núp bóng" / "nương bóng": to rely on someone's protection or influence.
  • Anh ta thành công nhờ núp bóng ông chủ. (He succeeded by sheltering under his boss's influence.)
• "nói bóng": to speak indirectly; to hint.
  • Đừng nói bóng nữa, hãy nói thẳng ra. (Stop hinting, just say it directly.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bóng bàn (n): Table tennis (the sport); ping-pong ball.
  • Chơi bóng bàn. (To play table tennis.)
• Bóng đá (n): Football; soccer.
  • Giải bóng đá thế giới. (The World Cup football tournament.)
• Bóng rổ (n): Basketball.
  • Sân bóng rổ. (A basketball court.)
• Bóng chuyền (n): Volleyball.
• Bóng loáng (adj): Very shiny; gleaming.
• Bóng mát (n): Cool shade (especially from trees).
• Ánh bóng (n): Glimmer of light; reflection (literary).

Synonyms

• Bóng (Shadow): Bóng tối, bóng râm.
• Bóng (Reflection): Hình ảnh phản chiếu, ảnh.
• Bóng (Ball): Quả bóng, trái banh.
• Bóng (Shiny): Bóng loáng, láng, nhẵn bóng.

Related Phrases

• "theo bóng": to follow someone's shadow; to follow closely.
  • Đứa trẻ theo bóng mẹ khắp nhà. (The child follows his mother's shadow all around the house.)
• "bóng chim tăm cá": (Idiom) Literally "bird's shadow, fish's trace"; meaning something elusive, hard to find or track.
  • Tìm nó như bóng chim tăm cá. (Looking for him is like chasing a will-o'-the-wisp.)
• "hình với bóng": (Idiom) Literally "body and shadow"; meaning inseparable, very close.
  • Họ thân nhau như hình với bóng. (They are as close as body and soul.)

Related Idioms

• "chó sủa bóng": Literally "a dog barks at a shadow"; meaning to be unnecessarily fearful or suspicious; to bark up the wrong tree.
  • Đừng lo lắng vô cớ, đừng chó sủa bóng. (Don't worry for no reason, don't be afraid of your own shadow.)
• "mưa bóng mây" / "mưa bóng cây": A passing shower; a brief rain.
  • Trời đổ một cơn mưa bóng mây rồi tạnh. (There was a passing shower and then it cleared up.)

noun

1. shadow; shade; reflection
   • chạy theo bóng
     to run after a shadow
   • dưới bóng cây
     in the shade of a tree
   • thấy bóng mình trong gương
     To see one's reflection in the mirror
2. ball; football
   • đá bóng
     to play football
3. dried fish bladder
   • một bát bóng
     A dish of dried fish bladder
4. chimney; blub; vale; transistor
   • bóng đèn pin
     A torch bulb
5. shimy; polished; glossy
   • giày da bóng lộn
     A polished pair of leather shoes