# bên meaning in Vietnamese: side (A1)

> bên means “side” in Vietnamese. It can also mean over in. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ben-side/ · Updated 2026-10-31

**bên**: side · over in

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: ben

## 1. side (noun)

*Bên trái* is the left, *bên phải* the right, *bên kia* the other side.

- Nhà tui ở bên kia đường. — My house is on the other side of the street.
- Bên trái là ngân hàng. — The bank is on the left.

Level: A1

## 2. over in (preposition)

over in, in

Points to a place away from where you are, often another country: *bên Mỹ*, *bên đó*.

- Chị tui ở bên Úc. — My sister lives over in Australia.
- Bên đó mấy giờ rồi? — What time is it over there?

Level: A1

Previous: [bây giờ](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/bay-gio/)
Next: [bên cạnh](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ben-canh/)

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