bơi
[ʔɓəːj˧˧]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to swim (move through water)
Register: informal
Where it’s used:
Used
Toàn quốc & hải ngoại · Vietnam-wide & diaspora
Examples
Tôi không biết bơi.I can't swim.
Chiều nay đi bơi không?Want to go swimming this afternoon?
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
Meaning · English
(verb) to row a boat
Register: informal
Examples
Tôi đã chen vào giữa, quảy tòn ten một cái gùi bé mà má nuôi tôi đã bơi xuồng đi mượn của nhà đi ngoài xóm bìa rừng từ chiều hôm qua.I came in between, carrying a basket dangling from a shoulder pole, for which my adoptive mother rowed the boat to the hamlet at the border of the forest to borrow it yesterday afternoon.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(verb) to struggle doing something beyond your capacity
Register: informal
Examples
Nếu không nắm vững cơ bản ngay từ bây giờ thì sau này sẽ phải bơi đó.If you don't have firm grip on the basics from the get-go, you'll be flagging later.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 4
Meaning · English
(particle) contraction of bây/bay + ơi
Register: informal
Examples
đẹp ghê bơivery nice, right guys?
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “bơi” mean?
(verb) to swim (move through water)
Is “bơi” formal or informal?
bơi is generally informal.