Signification
Complimenting someone's character.
Contexte culturel
The 'Bụng' (belly) is the center of character. A 'good belly' means you are kind, while a 'bad belly' means you are untrustworthy. Compliments are often accepted with extreme modesty. People might look away or quickly change the subject to avoid appearing boastful. People in the South tend to be more direct and open with their emotions. They might use stronger intensifiers like 'dữ' or 'nghen' to show sincerity. Younger generations might use English loanwords or 'cute' terms like 'dễ thương' instead of the more traditional 'tốt bụng' in casual chats.
Pronoun Power
Always check the age of the person you're talking to. If they are older, swap 'Bạn' for 'Anh', 'Chị', or 'Cô'.
No 'To Be'
Remember: No 'là'! Just 'Subject + thật tốt bụng'.
Signification
Complimenting someone's character.
Pronoun Power
Always check the age of the person you're talking to. If they are older, swap 'Bạn' for 'Anh', 'Chị', or 'Cô'.
No 'To Be'
Remember: No 'là'! Just 'Subject + thật tốt bụng'.
Add 'Quá'
Adding 'quá' at the end (Bạn thật tốt bụng quá!) makes you sound much more like a native speaker.
Accepting Modesty
If they say 'No, I'm not that kind,' don't argue! It's just Vietnamese politeness.
Teste-toi
Which sentence is grammatically correct in Vietnamese?
To say 'You are really kind' to a friend:
While 'là' is usually omitted, 'thật là' is a common emphatic pattern. However, 'Bạn là thật tốt bụng' is incorrect.
Fill in the missing word to complete the compliment.
Anh ấy giúp mọi người, anh ấy thật tốt ___.
The idiom for kindness in Vietnamese uses 'bụng' (belly).
Match the pronoun to the person you are complimenting.
You are talking to a female teacher who is about 40 years old.
'Cô' is the correct term for a female teacher or a woman of that age group.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Để mình xách túi giúp bạn nhé. B: _________
The most natural response to an offer of help is gratitude and a compliment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Kindness Across Registers
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesTo say 'You are really kind' to a friend:
While 'là' is usually omitted, 'thật là' is a common emphatic pattern. However, 'Bạn là thật tốt bụng' is incorrect.
Anh ấy giúp mọi người, anh ấy thật tốt ___.
The idiom for kindness in Vietnamese uses 'bụng' (belly).
You are talking to a female teacher who is about 40 years old.
'Cô' is the correct term for a female teacher or a woman of that age group.
A: Để mình xách túi giúp bạn nhé. B: _________
The most natural response to an offer of help is gratitude and a compliment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
12 questionsYes, but 'Con thật ngoan' (You are very well-behaved) or 'Con thật tốt' is more common for kids.
It's neutral. It works with friends, but also with strangers if you use the right pronouns.
'Tốt bụng' is about kindness/heart, while 'tốt tính' is about having a good general temperament/personality.
Not really. For animals, we use 'hiền' (gentle/tame).
Yes, but use 'Sếp thật tốt bụng' or 'Anh/Chị thật tốt bụng.' It's a very high compliment.
Bạn không tốt bụng chút nào. (You are not kind at all).
It's a cultural tradition in Vietnam and some other SE Asian countries to view the gut as the center of emotion.
Yes, 'rất' (very) and 'thật' (truly) are both very common.
Young people might say 'Bạn đỉnh quá' (You're the best) in similar situations.
Only if your tone is very exaggerated. Usually, it's taken very sincerely.
Just say 'Bạn thật tốt.' It's still 100% correct and understood.
Yes, in letters, emails, and social media posts frequently.
Expressions liées
Tử tế
synonymDecent, kind, or ethical
Hiền lành
similarGentle and kind
Nhân hậu
specialized formBenevolent
Xấu bụng
contrastMean or ill-intentioned
Lòng tốt
builds onKindness (noun)
