ơi

See also: Appendix:Variations of "oi"

Vietnamese

Etymology

Of imitative origin.

Pronunciation

• (Hà Nội) IPA^(key): [ʔəːj˧˧]
• (Huế) IPA^(key): [ʔəːj˧˧]
• (Hồ Chí Minh City) IPA^(key): [ʔəːj˧˧]

Alternative forms

• qươi

Particle

ơi • (㗒, 意, 𠲖, 喂)

1. suffixes someone's name or kinship title, used to call for their attention; compare vâng and dạ

   Lan ơi!

   Lan!

   Chú gì ơi!

   Hey, Mister!

   Anh gì ơi! Anh mua giùm em một vé đi ạ.

   Big brother, would you care to buy a [lottery] ticket?

   Mẹ ơi! Cơm chín chưa ạ?

   Mom! Is the rice ready?

   Trời (đất) ơi!

   Oh my God!

   Con ơi là con!

   My foolish child! What have you done?

   À (á à à) ơi. Mẹ ru con ngủ cho ngoan.

   Hush, little baby, I'm singing you to sleep.

   Má ơi, con về rồi nè !

   Mom, I'm home!

   Tía ơi má dìa.

   Pa! Ma's Home!

Interjection

ơi • (㗒, 意, 𠲖, 喂)

1. (to someone of equal or lower status) yes, what is it?; compare vâng and dạ

   Mẹ ơi !
   Ơi !

   Mom!
   What is it, darling?

See also

• ới; ê; này; à ơi; dạ; vâng