Definition

A compound word consists of two or more words linked together. Each individual word must have its own meaning.

Example: 

• giày dép (footwear) = giày (shoes) + dép (sandal) → Both of them refer to things that people wear on their feet.
• ba mẹ (parents) = ba (father) + mẹ (mother) → Both of them refer to family members.
• bánh sinh nhật (birthday cake) = bánh (a sweet food made with a mixture of flour, eggs, fat, and sugar) + sinh nhật (the day that is an exact year or number of years after a person was born).
• thầy cô (teacher) = thầy (a male teacher) + cô (a female teacher) → Both of them refer to how Vietnamese students address their teachers.

Classification

Subordinate compound words

This type consists of the main word and subordinate word modifying the main word. Normally, main words are placed before subordinate words and have wider meaning.

The meaning of a subordinate compound word is narrower than the meaning of the main word that makes it up.

Example:

• bà ngoại (maternal grandmother) = bà (the main word) + ngoại (the subordinate word)

We can make other subordinate compound words by combining the word “bà” with some other words, such as: bà nội (paternal grandmother), bà mụ (midwife), bà tôi (my grandmother), etc.

• xe máy (motorbike) = xe (the main word) + máy (the subordinate word)

We can make other subordinate compound words by combining the word “xe” with some other words, such as: xe lửa (train), xe hơi (car), xe bò (wagon), etc.

• hoa hồng (rose) = hoa (the main word) + hồng (the subordinate word)

We can make other subordinate compound words by combining the word “hoa” with some other words, such as: hoa hướng dương (sunflower), hoa cúc dại (daisy), hoa đào (blossom), etc.

• bút chì (pencil) = bút (the main word) + chì (the subordinate word)

We can make other subordinate compound words by combining the word “bút” with some other words, such as: bút bi (pen), bút lông (marker), bút màu (crayon), etc.

Coordinated compound words

Coordinated compound words are words in which elements are equal in meaning. There is no distinction between the main and the subordinate word.

The meaning of a coordinated compound word is more general than the meaning of words that make it up.

Example:

So far, we’ve discussed compound words in Vietnamese. To memorize compound words better, you can learn them in context, then practice by giving examples. Hope this lesson will help you in your learning journey!

Tags: Vietnamese compound words, Vietnamese subordinate compound words, Vietnamese coordinated compound words, word formation in Vietnamese, Vietnamese grammar, Vietnamese grammar lessons, Vietnamese for beginners, learn Vietnamese