Definitions

1. Noun:

   • Eagle (mythical): A legendary large, powerful bird in Vietnamese mythology, symbolizing strength and greatness.
   • Diploma, Certificate, License: An official document proving the completion of studies, a qualification, or permission to do something (e.g., drive).
   • Proof, Evidence, Warrant: Something that serves as confirmation, verification, or grounds for belief.

2. Adjective:

   • Equal, Same: Having the same quantity, value, degree, or status as something else.
   • Level, Flat, Even: Having a surface without slopes, bumps, or irregularities.
   • Unaccented (in linguistics): Referring to the two level tones in Vietnamese (the unmarked tone and the huyền tone).

3. Preposition:

   • By, With, Using: Indicates the means, instrument, or material used to perform an action.
   • At, For: Indicates a rate, price, or manner.

4. Conjunction:

   • If, Otherwise: Used to introduce a conditional clause or an alternative.

Usage Examples

• Noun:

  • Anh ấy vừa nhận được bằng tiến sĩ. (He just received his doctoral diploma.)
  • Cảnh sát yêu cầu tôi xuất trình bằng lái xe. (The police asked me to present my driver's license.)
  • Bạn có bằng chứng nào không? (Do you have any proof?)

• Adjective:

  • Hai cái bàn này cao bằng nhau. (These two tables are of equal height.)
  • Con đường này rất bằng phẳng. (This road is very flat and even.)

• Preposition:

  • Cô ấy viết bằng bút mực. (She writes with a fountain pen.)
  • Cái bàn được làm bằng gỗ. (The table is made of wood.)
  • Tôi mua nó bằng giá rất hời. (I bought it at a very good price.)

• Conjunction:

  • Cố gắng lên, bằng không bạn sẽ thất bại. (Try harder, otherwise you will fail.)

Advanced Usage

• Bằng vào: Based on, relying on.

  • Không nên kết luận chỉ bằng vào lời đồn. (One should not conclude based solely on rumors.)

• Bằng mọi giá: At all costs, by any means.

  • Chúng tôi phải hoàn thành nhiệm vụ bằng mọi giá. (We must complete the mission at all costs.)

• Bằng không: Otherwise, or else.

  • Hãy trả lời thật, bằng không bạn sẽ gặp rắc rối. (Tell the truth, or else you will be in trouble.)

• Bằng nay: Like now, as of now (literary).

  • Bằng nay bốn bể không nhà. (Like now, I have no home anywhere under heaven.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bằng cấp (n): Qualifications, degrees, diplomas (collectively).
• Bằng chứng (n): Evidence, proof.
• Bằng lòng (adj): Satisfied, content, willing.
• Bằng phẳng (adj): Flat, level, even.
• Bằng hữu (n): Friends (literary).

Synonyms

• Như (prep/conj): Like, as (for comparison).
• Với (prep): With (for means/instrument, though not always interchangeable).
• Đều (adj/adv): Equal, equally (for state of equality).
• Phẳng (adj): Flat.

Related Phrases (Prepositional/Collocational)

• Bằng đường hàng không: By air.
• Bằng mắt thường: With the naked eye.
• Bằng lời nói: Verbally, in words.
• Bằng cớ: Evidence, proof (similar to ).

Related Idioms

• Chín chắn bằng vàng: (To be) as mature as gold – meaning very mature and valuable.
• Cứng như thép, mềm bằng tơ: As hard as steel, as soft as silk – describing someone who is both strong and gentle.
• Không gì bằng...: Nothing equals... / There's nothing like...
  • Không gì bằng được tự do. (Nothing equals freedom.)

noun

1. Eagle, hero in his element
2. Warrant, testimonial, evidence, proof
   • lấy gì làm bằng?
     what is the warrant?
   • có đủ giấy tờ làm bằng
     There are all the necessary testimonials
3. Diploma, certificate, licence
   • bằng tốt nghiệp đại học
     a university graduate's diploma
   • bằng lái xe
     a driving licence
   • cấp bằng khen
     to confer a certificate of merit

adj

1. Even, level
   • san đất cho bằng