Definition

1. Noun:
   • Sweets, confections, candies, and cakes: "kẹo bánh" is a compound noun referring collectively to sweet treats, snacks, and desserts, such as candies, cookies, and pastries. It often implies indulgence or items given as gifts, especially to children.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Mẹ mua ít kẹo bánh cho các con. (Mom bought some sweets for the kids.)
  • Trẻ em rất thích được tặng kẹo bánh. (Children love being given confections.)
  • Cửa hàng đó bán đủ loại kẹo bánh. (That shop sells all kinds of sweets and cakes.)

Advanced Usage

• The term "kẹo bánh" is often used in a general, collective sense. It can carry a nostalgic or affectionate tone when referring to childhood treats.
  • Tuổi thơ của tôi gắn liền với những gói kẹo bánh nhỏ. (My childhood is associated with small packets of sweets.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kẹo (noun): Candy, sweet. This is the first part of the compound, referring specifically to hard or soft candies.
• Bánh (noun): Cake, pastry, cookie. This is the second part of the compound, referring to baked or steamed sweet goods.
• Đồ ngọt (noun): Sweets, desserts. A broader term for sweet foods.
• Bánh kẹo (noun): This is a common variant with the same meaning as "kẹo bánh," also meaning sweets and confections.

Synonyms

• Đồ ăn vặt ngọt: Sweet snacks.
• Quà vặt: Snack gifts (often sweet).

Notes on Meaning

• "Kẹo bánh" functions as a single lexical unit in Vietnamese, combining two nouns ("kẹo" and "bánh") to create a broader category. It is treated as a singular concept meaning "sweet treats."
• It is important to translate it as a collective term like "sweets" or "confections" rather than translating each component separately in most contexts.

1. Sweets, confections