Tiếng Việt · Word Attested

bên

[ʔɓen˧˧]

In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.

Sense 1

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) side (one half of something or someone)

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

phần bên

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Where it’s used: Used Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora

Examples

bên ngoài đang mưa toit's raining hard outside

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 ↗

Sense 2

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) side (a line of descent traced through a particular relative)

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

ngành họ

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

bên nội, bên ngoạifather's side, mother's side

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 3

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(noun) side (a group having a particular allegiance in a conflict or competition)

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

phe một nhóm có sự trung thành trong mâu thuẫn hoặc cạnh tranh

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

bên địchenemy side

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Sense 4

Both English Tiếng Việt

Meaning · English

(preposition) by; beside

Nghĩa · Tiếng Việt

gần; bên cạnh

Machine-translated — suggest a fix

Examples

bên con nướcbeside the stream

Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Common questions

What does “bên” mean?

(noun) side (one half of something or someone)

Is “bên” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.