Definition

1. Noun:

   • Father, dad, papa: A male parent. This is the most common and fundamental meaning.
   • A male animal of the previous generation directly producing the next generation: For example, the male parent in animals.
   • An older man, worthy of the fatherly position, used as a respectful form of address: Used to show respect to an elderly man.
   • A man of similar or younger age, used in a joking or familiar way: A casual, sometimes humorous, way to refer to a male peer.
   • A large size or type: Used colloquially to indicate something is large or of a major type (e.g., a big bottle).

2. Noun:

   • Jute: The plant Corchorus capsularis or its fiber.
   • Canvas, burlap: A coarse, thick cloth woven from jute or similar fibers.

3. Noun: Shortened form of "bố chính" (a historical administrative title).

4. Verb:

   • To raid, to sweep through (an area): To conduct a sudden, extensive search or raid.
   • To terrorize, to intimidate: To frighten someone severely, to bully.

Usage Examples

• Noun (Father):
  • Bố tôi là bác sĩ. (My father is a doctor.)
  • Con giống bố. (The child takes after his father.)
• Noun (Respectful address):
  • Mời bố xơi cơm. (Please have a meal, sir/father.)
• Noun (Joking address):
  • Ê, mấy bố ơi, lại đây! (Hey, guys/fellas, come here!)
• Noun (Jute/Canvas):
  • Bao bố (A jute bag)
  • Giày vải bố (Canvas shoes)
• Verb:
  • Cảnh sát bố ráp ổ cờ bạc. (The police raided the gambling den.)
  • Đừng bố nó nữa, nó sợ rồi. (Stop terrorizing him, he's already scared.)

Advanced Usage

• "bố đời" (slang, vulgar): An intensifier expressing frustration, similar to "damn" or "hell". Often considered rude.
  • Đồ bố đời! (Damn it!/You bastard!)
• "làm bố": To act like a boss or a big shot; to show off.
  • Anh ta thích làm bố trước mặt mọi người. (He likes to act like a big shot in front of everyone.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bố chồng (n): Father-in-law (husband's father).
• Bố vợ (n): Father-in-law (wife's father).
• Bố mẹ (n): Parents.
• Bố già (n): Godfather; also a respectful/affectionate term for an elderly man.
• Bốc bố (v, archaic): To raid, to plunder.
• Bố láo (adj): Insolent, rude, cheeky.

Synonyms

• Cha (n): Father (more formal/literary).
• Ba (n): Dad, papa (common in Southern Vietnam).
• Tía (n): Dad, papa (common in Southern Vietnam).
• Thầy (n): Father (used in some Northern dialects).
• Cụ (n): A respectful term for a very old man.
• Đay (n): Jute.
• Vải bạt (n): Canvas.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

• Bố ráp (v): To raid, to round up.
  • Công an đang bố ráp tội phạm. (The police are rounding up criminals.)
• Bố trí (v): To arrange, to deploy. (Note: This is a distinct compound word, not a phrasal verb of "bố" alone).
  • Bố trí đồ đạc trong phòng. (Arrange the furniture in the room.)

Related Idioms

• Con hơn cha là nhà có phúc: A saying meaning "It is a family's blessing when the child surpasses the father."
• Biết bố nó là ai: A rhetorical question meaning "Who the hell does he think he is?" or expressing that someone's identity/importance is unknown or irrelevant. (Slang, slightly vulgar).

noun

1. Father, papa, dad
   • con giống bố
     the child takes after his father
   • bố chồng
     father-in-law
   • con lại đây với bố!
     come here with Dad!
2. Jute
   • bao bố
     a jute bag
3. Canvas
   • vải bố
     canvas
   • giày bố
     canvas shoes
4. khẩu ngữ) Love