bổ

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔɓo˧˩]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔɓow˧˨]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʔɓow˨˩˦]

From Proto-Mon-Khmer *buuh. Cognate with Khmer ពុះ (puh).

bổ

1. to split firewood by the axis of each log

   bổ củi

   to split firewood

2. to chop a piece of fruit, especially a large one, by its axis to divide it into smaller pieces for consumption

   bổ dưa

   to chop a watermelon

3. (North Central Vietnam) to trip and fall onto the ground

   Synonyms: ngã, té

bổ

1. (of falling) quickly and heavily to the ground

Sino-Vietnamese word from 補 (“to supplement”).

bổ

1. (of food, drink or nutritional supplements, compatible with following Sino-Vietnamese elements) healthy; wholesome

   thuốc bổ

   a nutritional supplement

   bổ phổi/phế

   good for one's lungs

   bổ máu/huyết

   good for one's blood

   (of activities) vô bổ

   unhelpful; unproductive