Definition

1. Noun:
   • A young girl, a little girl: "con bé" is an informal term used to refer to a young girl or a little girl. It often carries a tone of familiarity, endearment, or sometimes casual reference.
   • That girl, the girl: It can also function as a demonstrative noun phrase meaning "that girl" or "the girl," specifying a particular young female individual in context.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Con bé rất đảm đang. (The little girl is very capable / a good contriver.)
  • Con bé hàng xóm rất ngoan. (The neighbor's little girl is very well-behaved.)
  • Tôi mới gặp con bé hôm qua. (I just met that girl yesterday.)

Advanced Usage

• Used for familiar or affectionate reference: The term is commonly used in spoken Vietnamese among family, friends, or in informal settings to talk about a known girl.
  • Con bé con chị Lan dễ thương quá! (Lan's little girl is so adorable!)
• Can imply youth or a subordinate position: It inherently suggests the person is young or younger than the speaker, and can sometimes (depending on context and tone) carry a slightly diminutive or non-formal connotation.
  • Để con bé đó làm việc này đi. (Let that young girl do this job.)

Variants and Related Words

• Bé (n/adj): Little one, child; small. A more general term for a young child.
  • Đứa bé: The child.
• Cô bé (n): Young lady, little girl. Slightly more formal or poetic than "con bé."
  • Cô bé bán diêm: The little match girl.
• Con (n/classifier): A versatile word meaning child, offspring, or a classifier for many animals and some objects. It is the foundational word in "con bé."

Synonyms

• Đứa bé gái: The little girl (neutral).
• Em gái: Younger sister; can also be used informally for a younger girl.
• Nhóc con: Kid, brat (very informal, can be affectionate or slightly derogatory depending on context).

Related Phrases

• Con bé ấy: That girl (adding "ấy" for clearer demonstrative meaning).
  • Con bé ấy là ai vậy? (Who is that girl?)
• Con nhỏ: This is a very informal, often regionally specific (Southern Vietnam) equivalent to "con bé." Note: "con nhỏ" can sometimes sound more casual or blunt.
  • Con nhỏ đó học giỏi lắm. (That girl studies very well.)

Notes on Usage

• Register: "Con bé" is primarily informal. In formal writing or polite speech, alternatives like "cô bé," "em gái," or the person's name are preferred.
• Connotation: The tone can range from affectionate and protective to casually dismissive, heavily influenced by the speaker's relationship, tone of voice, and context. It is generally not used for adult women in a respectful way.
• Structure: The word is a combination of the classifier/noun "con" and the adjective/noun "bé" (small, little). It literally means "the small/young one" (female implied by context).

1. Miss, little girl
   • con bé rất đảm đang
     the miss is a good contriver