bảo
[ʔɓaːw˧˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
To tell someone to do something — the Northern word; Southerners say biểu.
Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt
Nói cho ai làm gì — từ miền Bắc; trong Nam nói biểu.
Verb
Where it’s used:
Used
Miền Bắc · Northern Vietnam
Examples
Lại đây mẹ bảo.Come here, I got something to tell you. / I got something I want you to do.
Mẹ bảo em qua nhà bà ngoại lấy rau.Mom told me to go get vegetables from Grandma’s.
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-31)
Equivalents & related
Common questions
What does “bảo” mean?
To tell someone to do something — the Northern word; Southerners say biểu.
Is “bảo” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.
What is the closest equivalent?
“biểu” (Tiếng Việt) — same meaning · other region.