về
[ve˨˩]
In real, traceable use. Part of the curated seed collection; community review is coming.
Sense 1
Meaning · English
(verb) to come back or go back (to somewhere one belongs or to some place that is one's own)
Examples
về nhàto return home
về quêto return to one's hometown
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
(preposition) about; on
Examples
Tôi đã suy nghĩ về cô ấy.I have been thinking about her.
lo lắng về sức khỏeworry about health
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 3
Meaning · English
(preposition) into
Examples
Các phòng trưng bày nghệ thuật mở cửa về khuya.All the art galleries are open late into the night.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Sense 4
Where it’s used:
Used
Miền Nam · Southern Vietnam
• Wiktionary labels this sense “Southern”
Examples
Trứng muỗi nở ra lăng quăng, nổi trên mặt nước thành từng về lớn trong điều kiện yên tĩnh.Mosquito eggs hatch into larvae that form a thick layer floating near the surface when the water is calm.
Wiktionary example (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Common questions
What does “về” mean?
(verb) to come back or go back (to somewhere one belongs or to some place that is one's own)
Is “về” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.