bến
[ʔɓen˧˦]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(noun) port; wharf
Register: formal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Bến Nhà RồngDragon Wharf, lit. Dragon House Wharf
Thuyền đang đợi ở bến.The boat is waiting at the pier.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sources & notes
Imported from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-07-29); community review pending. source ↗ Local usage: “Bến” usually means a landing, pier, or berth; “cảng” is the usual word for port. [contributed-collins-enriched]
Sense 2
Meaning · English
(noun) the shore of a body of water
Register: formal
Examples
Thuyền ai đậu bến sông trăng đó,
Có chở trăng về kịp tối nay?Someone's boat is moored at the moon[lit] river's shore there,
Shall it take the moon[light] back timely tonight?
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(noun) station (place where a vehicle may stop)
Register: formal
Examples
Bến xe Miền ĐôngMien Dong Coach Station
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “bến” mean?
(noun) port; wharf
Is “bến” formal or informal?
bến is generally formal.