Definition

1. Verb:

   • To tell, to say: To give information, instructions, or an order to someone, typically someone of equal or lower status.
   • To advise, to warn: To recommend a course of action or to inform someone of a potential danger or consequence.
   • (Archaic) To teach: To instruct in knowledge or principles.

2. Idiomatic Expression:

   • "Ai bảo..." (serves [someone] right): A colloquial phrase used to indicate that someone's misfortune is a direct and deserved result of their own actions.

Usage Examples

• Verb (to tell):
  • Bảo nó ở lại. (Tell him to stay.)
  • Ai bảo anh thế? (Who told you that?)
• Verb (to advise/warn):
  • Bảo cho nó sự nguy hiểm đương chờ nó. (Warn him of the danger awaiting him.)
• Idiomatic Expression:
  • Thi hỏng là phải, ai bảo lười học! (Failing the exam was inevitable, it serves him right for being lazy!)

Advanced Usage

• "bụng bảo dạ": To say to oneself; to think internally.
  • Anh ấy bụng bảo dạ rằng mình nên thử. (He said to himself that he should try.)
• "đóng cửa bảo nhau": To discuss privately within a family or closed group; to wash one's dirty linen in private.

Variants and Related Words

• Bảo ban (v): To advise, to counsel, often with a sense of earnest guidance.
  • Cha mẹ bảo ban con cái. (Parents counsel their children.)
• Báo bảo (v - archaic/formal): To instruct, to teach. This is an older, more formal variant.

Synonyms

• Tell: To communicate information or instructions.
• Instruct: To direct or command someone to do something.
• Advise: To offer suggestions about the best course of action.
• Warn: To inform someone in advance of a possible danger or problem.

Related Idioms

• Gọi dạ, bảo vâng: (Literally: When called, answer "dạ"; when told, answer "vâng"). Describes an obedient person who follows instructions without question.
• Bảo sao nghe vậy: To believe and obey without question; to do exactly as one is told.
• Trâu ơi ta bảo trâu này...: (Literally: Oh buffalo, I tell you this, buffalo...). A famous opening line from a folk poem, illustrating the use of "bảo" to address or instruct.

verb

1. To tell, to say
   • bảo sao nghe vậy
     to believe what one is told
   • ai bảo anh thế?
     who told you?
   • ai không đi thì bảo
     let him who doesn't want to go just say so
   • bảo gì làm nấy
     to do what one is told
   • bảo nó ở lại
     tell him to stay

khẩu ngữ

1. It serves one right
   • thi hỏng là phải, ai bảo lười học
     his failure at the exam was no surprise, it serves him right for being lazy