bê bò
[ʔɓe˧˧ ʔɓɔ˨˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Meaning · English
(noun) B/b; an expression for making clear the difference between b and p, due to the fact that the phoneme /p/ does not exist as an onset consonant in Vietnamese native phonology; literally "'b' as in 'bò'"
NounRegister: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗
Common questions
What does “bê bò” mean?
(noun) B/b; an expression for making clear the difference between b and p, due to the fact that the phoneme /p/ does not exist as an onset consonant in Vietnamese native phonology; literally "'b' as in 'bò'"
Is “bê bò” formal or informal?
bê bò is generally informal.