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Questions & Answers about Bạn là Lan.
Why do we use bạn to mean “you” in Vietnamese?
In Vietnamese, bạn can mean both “friend” and a general “you.” It’s a common way to address someone of similar age or status, especially in everyday conversation. Other pronouns might be used if there’s a difference in status, age, or a closer relationship.
What does là mean in this sentence?
Là is the Vietnamese equivalent of the verb “to be.” It links the subject (bạn) to the compliment (Lan), confirming someone’s name or identity.
Is the word order in Vietnamese similar to English here?
Yes, in this case the structure is subject (bạn) + verb (là) + subject complement (Lan). This is close to “You are Lan” in English, so the basic word order matches.
How is the name Lan typically used in Vietnamese?
Lan is a common female name in Vietnamese. It also means “orchid,” but here it’s used simply as a person’s name. There’s no special grammatical rule needed when using it.
Are there any tones I should be careful with in bạn là Lan?
Yes. Bạn uses the nặng (heavy) tone, written with a dot under the vowel (bạn). Là is pronounced with the huyền (falling) tone. Lan is pronounced with no diacritical mark, so it has the ngang (level) tone. Practicing the correct tones is key to being understood.