căn bản

See also: cānbàn

Vietnamese

Alternative forms

• (Southern Vietnam, dated) căn bổn

Etymology

Sino-Vietnamese word from 根本 (“basic, elementary”).

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [kan˧˧ ʔɓaːn˧˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [kaŋ˧˧ ʔɓaːŋ˧˨]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [kaŋ˧˧ ʔɓaːŋ˨˩˦]

Adjective

căn bản

1. (usually of knowledge or fact) basic, fundamental or foundational

Adverb

căn bản

1. for the most part; basically; essentially

Noun

căn bản

1. the basics; the fundamentals; the essentials

   mất căn bản ― to be lacking in fundamentals

Usage notes

The adjectival and adverbial uses are very similar to those of cơ bản. The nominal use is reserved for this term only.