phận
noun Sino-Vietnamese
Hanoi [fən˧˨ʔ]Huế [fəŋ˨˩ʔ]Saigon [fəŋ˨˩˨] browser voice
Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →
phận means a role.
Chinese characters: 分 Classifier: cái — e.g. một cái phận (one role)
Meanings of phận in English
Noun
- literary a role (the expected behavior of an individual in a society)
- phận đàn bàthe status of women in society
- phận làm conthe duty of a child
Words with phận
Etymology
Sino-Vietnamese word from 分 (“social status; destiny”), 份, from Middle Chinese 分 (bjunH), 份 (bjunH). Doublet of phần and phân. Cognate with Mandarin 分 (fèn) and Cantonese 分 (fan6).
Frequently asked questions
What does phận mean in English?
phận (noun) means "a role".
How do you pronounce phận?
IPA: Hanoi [fən˧˨ʔ]; Saigon [fəŋ˨˩˨]. Tones: phận — heavy tone (nặng).
Is phận a Sino-Vietnamese word?
Yes. phận is a Sino-Vietnamese word from the Chinese characters 分.
What classifier is used with phận?
Common classifiers: cái — for example "một cái phận" (one a role).