The Vietnamese word "bạn" is a noun that primarily means "friend." It is a versatile word used in various contexts to describe relationships between people.
Friend: The most common use of "bạn" is to refer to a friend or companion. For example:
Fellow: "Bạn" can also refer to someone who shares a common interest or activity with you.
"Bạn" can be used in various phrases that add depth to its meaning: - Bạn chiến đấu: This means "comrade-in-arms" or "fellow soldier," indicating a close bond formed in difficult circumstances. - Chọn bạn mà chơi: This phrase translates to "one must choose one's friends," stressing the importance of selecting the right companions. - Phân biệt ta, bạn, thù: This means "to differentiate between ourselves, our friends, and our enemies," highlighting the significance of understanding relationships.
Apart from its primary meaning of "friend," "bạn" can also imply: - Spouse: In some contexts, "bạn" refers to a spouse or life partner, as in "bạn trăm năm," which means "spouse for a hundred years." - To marry: The verb phrase "làm bạn" means "to marry each other" or "to become husband and wife." For example: - "Hai người làm bạn với nhau đã được một con." (They married each other and have a child.)