Significado
Cleaning a table surface.
Contexto cultural
Wiping the table is a sign of hospitality. A host will often wipe the table again right in front of a guest as they sit down, even if it's already clean, to show they care about the guest's comfort. In 'quán vỉa hè' (pavement eateries), the 'khăn lau bàn' (table cloth) is often a multi-purpose rag. While it might not meet Western clinical standards, the act of wiping signifies the table is 'ready' for the next customer. Cleaning the 'bàn thờ' (altar) is a sacred task. It is usually done by the head of the household using a dedicated clean cloth and sometimes scented water. It's never called 'lau bàn' casually; it's a ritual. In traditional families, the task of 'lau bàn' after a meal usually falls to the children or the daughter-in-law, representing their contribution to the family's harmony and cleanliness.
Politeness
When asking a waiter to wipe the table, always add 'giùm em' or 'hộ anh' to sound polite rather than demanding.
Avoid 'Rửa'
Never say 'rửa bàn' unless you are literally using a bucket of water and a scrub brush on a plastic table outside.
Significado
Cleaning a table surface.
Politeness
When asking a waiter to wipe the table, always add 'giùm em' or 'hộ anh' to sound polite rather than demanding.
Avoid 'Rửa'
Never say 'rửa bàn' unless you are literally using a bucket of water and a scrub brush on a plastic table outside.
Resultative Verbs
Add 'sạch' after 'lau bàn' (Lau bàn sạch) to emphasize that you want it cleaned *well*.
The 'Khăn' Culture
In Vietnam, 'khăn lau bàn' is often just an old t-shirt or a cut-up towel. It's a common example of Vietnamese 'tái chế' (recycling).
Teste-se
Fill in the missing verb to complete the chore.
Con giúp mẹ ___ bàn sau khi ăn xong nhé.
'Lau' is the correct verb for cleaning a table surface with a cloth.
Which sentence is the most natural request in a restaurant?
How do you ask a waiter to clean a dirty table?
This uses a polite address (Anh ơi) and a helpful particle (giùm... với).
Match the action with the correct object.
Match the following:
These are the standard verb-object collocations for household chores.
Complete the dialogue between two roommates.
A: Bàn bẩn quá! B: Để tớ lấy khăn ___.
'Lau cho' means 'wipe it for (you/us)'.
Match the phrase variation to the context.
When would you use 'Lau chùi bàn ghế'?
'Lau chùi' implies a more thorough cleaning of multiple items.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Recursos visuais
Lau vs. Rửa vs. Quét
Banco de exercicios
5 exerciciosCon giúp mẹ ___ bàn sau khi ăn xong nhé.
'Lau' is the correct verb for cleaning a table surface with a cloth.
How do you ask a waiter to clean a dirty table?
This uses a polite address (Anh ơi) and a helpful particle (giùm... với).
Combine cada item a esquerda com seu par a direita:
These are the standard verb-object collocations for household chores.
A: Bàn bẩn quá! B: Để tớ lấy khăn ___.
'Lau cho' means 'wipe it for (you/us)'.
When would you use 'Lau chùi bàn ghế'?
'Lau chùi' implies a more thorough cleaning of multiple items.
🎉 Pontuação: /5
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasNo, it can be used for desks, coffee tables, or any flat surface called a 'bàn'.
Technically no, you should use 'lau màn hình' (wipe the screen).
'Lau chùi' is more thorough and implies a deeper cleaning effort.
It depends on the tone and particles used. Using 'giùm' or 'nhé' makes it a friendly request.
In the phrase 'lau bàn', the classifier 'cái' is usually omitted unless you are pointing at a specific table ('lau cái bàn này').
You say 'lau khô bàn'.
A 'khăn lau' (cleaning cloth).
No, that is 'lau nhà'.
Yes, 'vệ sinh mặt bàn' is used in formal or professional contexts.
It's a mix of high dust levels in the environment and a cultural emphasis on hospitality.
Yes, as 'việc lau bàn' (the task of wiping the table).
'Lau' is general wiping; 'chùi' often implies rubbing harder to remove a stain.
Frases relacionadas
Dọn bàn
similarTo clear/set the table
Lau nhà
builds onTo mop the floor
Lau chùi
specialized formTo scrub/clean thoroughly
Khăn lau bàn
specialized formTable cloth/rag
Bàn ăn
specialized formDining table
Sạch bóng
builds onSparkling clean
