Họ در ۳۰ ثانیه
- Họ means 'they' or 'them' when referring to a group of people in Vietnamese.
- It is also the word for 'surname' or 'family name', which comes first in Vietnam.
- Unlike English 'they', it is almost never used for animals or inanimate objects.
- It is a neutral, polite word suitable for formal, informal, and professional contexts.
The Vietnamese word họ is a fundamental third-person plural pronoun, primarily translated as 'they' or 'them' in English. Unlike English, where 'they' can sometimes refer to inanimate objects or animals, the Vietnamese họ is almost exclusively reserved for human beings. This distinction is crucial for learners to grasp early on. When you are talking about a group of people—whether friends, colleagues, or strangers—họ is your go-to term. It functions as both the subject and the object of a sentence, meaning its form does not change based on its grammatical role.
- Primary Function
- Used as a third-person plural pronoun referring to a group of people (they/them).
- Secondary Function
- Used as a noun meaning 'surname', 'family name', or 'extended family/clan'.
In social contexts, họ is neutral and polite. It does not carry the specific age-based hierarchy often found in singular pronouns like anh, chị, or em. However, when referring to people with high respect, speakers might opt for more formal alternatives, though họ remains perfectly acceptable in most general conversations, news reports, and literary texts. Beyond its role as a pronoun, họ is the word used to ask about someone's family name: 'Họ của bạn là gì?' (What is your surname?). This duality makes it one of the most versatile and essential words in the Vietnamese lexicon.
Họ đang đi bộ trong công viên.
When exploring the 'surname' meaning, it's interesting to note that Vietnamese culture places great importance on the họ. Most Vietnamese people share a small pool of common surnames like Nguyễn, Trần, or Lê. In this context, the word represents not just a name but an entire lineage. In formal documents, you will often see the phrase Họ và tên, which means 'Surname and full name'. This usage is distinct from the pronoun but equally frequent in daily life.
Anh ấy mang họ Nguyễn.
In summary, whether you are pointing to a group of tourists or filling out a government form, họ is a word you will encounter constantly. Its simplicity as a pronoun contrasts with its cultural depth as a noun representing family heritage. Understanding the boundaries of its use—specifically its human-centric nature as a pronoun—will make your Vietnamese sound much more natural and precise.
- Register
- Neutral to Formal. Used in all levels of society.
Họ hàng tôi sống ở quê.
Using họ in sentences is relatively straightforward because Vietnamese grammar does not involve verb conjugation based on the subject. Whether the subject is 'I', 'You', or 'They' (họ), the verb remains the same. This makes constructing sentences with họ very efficient for learners. You can place họ at the beginning of a sentence as the subject or after a verb as the direct or indirect object.
- Subject Position
- Họ thích ăn phở. (They like to eat pho.)
- Object Position
- Tôi đã gặp họ hôm qua. (I met them yesterday.)
One interesting aspect of họ is its interaction with other plural markers. While họ is inherently plural, you will occasionally see it combined with other words to provide more specificity or a different tone. For example, các họ is rarely used for people (as họ is already plural), but you might hear họ nhà to refer to a specific family line or group, such as họ nhà trai (the groom's family) during a wedding ceremony.
Họ sẽ đến vào lúc tám giờ.
When using họ as a noun (surname), it usually precedes the specific name or follows the verb 'to be' (là). In the phrase Họ của tôi là Trần, the word acts as a subject. In everyday speech, when asking someone's name, you might say Bạn họ gì? (What is your surname?). This demonstrates the word's flexibility across different syntactic structures.
Trong danh sách này, họ của anh ấy đứng đầu.
Advanced usage involves the term họ hàng, which collectively refers to relatives. While họ alone can mean 'they', họ hàng is a compound noun. For instance, Họ hàng nhà tôi rất đông (My extended family is very large). This highlights how the root word họ expands into broader concepts of kinship and social grouping.
- Common Pattern
- [Subject: Họ] + [Verb] + [Object].
- Interrogative Pattern
- Bạn họ gì? (What is your surname?)
Tôi không biết họ là ai.
You will hear họ in almost every corner of Vietnamese life. In news broadcasts, journalists use họ to refer to groups of people in the news—protesters, athletes, or citizens. For example, 'Họ đã nỗ lực hết mình' (They gave their all). In this formal context, họ provides a professional distance and neutrality that is essential for reporting.
Trên tivi, người dẫn chương trình nói rằng họ đã thắng cuộc.
In casual street conversations, họ is used to describe groups of people the speaker and listener are observing. If you are sitting at a cafe and see a group of tourists, you might say to your friend, 'Họ đang chụp ảnh kìa' (They are taking photos over there). It is the standard way to reference any group that isn't present in the immediate conversation as a participant.
In academic and administrative settings, họ appears frequently on forms. When you check into a hotel or apply for a visa, the form will ask for your Họ. In Vietnam, the surname comes first, followed by the middle name and then the given name. Therefore, understanding họ is vital for navigating any official paperwork. You might also hear it in historical documentaries discussing great families or dynasties, such as họ Nguyễn (the Nguyen family/dynasty).
- Public Announcements
- 'Yêu cầu họ giữ trật tự.' (Requesting them to keep order.)
- Classrooms
- 'Hôm nay họ có bài kiểm tra.' (They have a test today.)
Chào mừng họ nhà trai đến nhà gái.
Finally, in literature and songs, họ can take on a more poetic or generalized tone, representing 'people' or 'society' at large. In a song lyric about unrequited love, a singer might lament about what 'they' (society) say. This broad application makes họ a cornerstone of both functional and expressive Vietnamese.
One of the most frequent mistakes English speakers make is using họ to refer to inanimate objects or animals. In English, 'they' is versatile; you can say 'The books? They are on the table.' In Vietnamese, saying 'Họ ở trên bàn' for books would sound very strange, as họ implies personhood. For objects, you should use chúng or những cái đó.
Sai (Wrong): Những con mèo đó? Họ đang ngủ.
Another common error is confusing họ (they) with chúng tôi or chúng ta (we). While all are plural pronouns, họ is strictly for the third person. Beginners sometimes mix these up when trying to translate 'us' or 'them' in complex sentences. Remember: họ is always 'those other people'.
A subtle mistake involves the level of respect. While họ is neutral, using it to refer to a group of highly respected elders or high-ranking officials might occasionally feel slightly too informal or 'detached'. In such cases, using các vị ấy or quý vị đó is more appropriate. However, for a beginner, họ is rarely 'wrong'—just perhaps less nuanced.
- Mistake
- Using họ for animals.
- Correction
- Use chúng or chúng nó.
Lastly, when họ is used as a noun for 'surname', learners sometimes forget that in Vietnam, the surname comes first. If someone asks for your họ, they want your family name, not your given name. Mixing these up on a form can lead to bureaucratic confusion. Always double-check whether the context requires a pronoun or a family name.
Lỗi (Error): Họ của tôi là John.
There are several words that are similar to họ or can act as alternatives depending on the level of formality and the relationship between the speakers. Understanding these nuances will help you sound more like a native speaker.
- Chúng nó
- Informal 'they'. Used for children, younger people, animals, or sometimes in a derogatory way for peers.
- Các vị ấy
- Formal 'they/those gentlemen/ladies'. Used for respected elders or people in high positions.
- Bọn họ
- Often used in stories or when referring to a specific 'gang' or group. Can sometimes sound slightly more distant or suspicious than just họ.
When họ is used as a noun meaning family, synonyms include họ tộc (clan/lineage) and gia tộc (noble or large family). While họ is the common everyday term, họ tộc is more formal and often used in the context of ancestral worship or genealogy.
Bọn họ đang bàn bạc chuyện gì đó.
Another related term is người ta. While họ refers to a specific 'they' previously mentioned or pointed at, người ta is a more general 'people' or 'they' (as in 'They say it's going to rain'). Người ta can also be used as a singular pronoun in certain slang contexts (like 'someone' or even 'I/me' in a cute way), which họ never does.
Người ta nói rằng học tiếng Việt rất khó.
In summary, while họ is the standard third-person plural pronoun, your choice of alternative depends on the age of the people you are talking about, your relationship with them, and whether you are referring to them as individuals or as a family unit.
نکته جالب
In ancient Vietnam, only the elite had surnames. The common people adopted surnames later, often taking the surname of the reigning dynasty (which is why 'Nguyễn' is so common).
راهنمای تلفظ
- Using a flat tone (like English 'ho'), which changes the meaning.
- Pronouncing the 'h' too softly.
- Confusing it with 'hố' (rising tone, meaning 'hole').
- Confusing it with 'hổ' (dipping tone, meaning 'tiger').
- Confusing it with 'hỗ' (broken/rising tone, used in compounds).
مثالها بر اساس سطح
Họ là ai?
Who are they?
Simple question structure: Subject + là + who.
Họ đang ăn cơm.
They are eating rice.
'Đang' indicates the continuous present tense.
Họ rất tốt bụng.
They are very kind.
Adjectives follow the subject directly; no 'to be' is needed for descriptions.
Họ đi học bằng xe buýt.
They go to school by bus.
'Bằng' is used to indicate the means of transport.
Họ sống ở Hà Nội.
They live in Hanoi.
'Ở' is the preposition for 'in/at'.
Họ là sinh viên.
They are students.
'Sinh viên' is the noun for university students.
Họ thích uống trà.
They like drinking tea.
'Thích' means to like.
Họ không có tiền.
They don't have money.
'Không có' is the negative form of 'to have'.
Tôi đã thấy họ ở chợ.
I saw them at the market.
'Đã' indicates past tense; 'họ' is the object here.
Họ muốn mua một ngôi nhà mới.
They want to buy a new house.
'Muốn' is a modal verb followed by the main verb 'mua'.
Gia đình họ rất giàu.
Their family is very rich.
Here 'họ' acts as a possessive (their) following the noun 'gia đình'.
Họ đang làm việc trong văn phòng.
They are working in the office.
'Trong' means inside.
Bạn có biết họ không?
Do you know them?
Standard yes/no question: 'có... không?'
Họ nói tiếng Anh rất giỏi.
They speak English very well.
'Giỏi' is an adjective/adverb meaning good/well.
Họ sẽ đi du lịch vào mùa hè.
They will travel in the summer.
'Sẽ' indicates future tense.
Họ của bạn là gì?
What is your surname?
Here 'họ' is a noun meaning surname.
Họ hàng của tôi thường họp mặt vào dịp Tết.
My relatives usually gather during Tet.
'Họ hàng' is a compound noun for relatives.
Họ đã quyết định hoãn cuộc họp lại.
They decided to postpone the meeting.
'Quyết định' means to decide.
Mọi người đều tôn trọng họ vì sự trung thực.
Everyone respects them for their honesty.
'Vì' introduces the reason.
Họ không chỉ thông minh mà còn chăm chỉ.
They are not only smart but also hardworking.
Correlative conjunction: 'không chỉ... mà còn'.
Họ đã sống ở đây được mười năm rồi.
They have lived here for ten years already.
'Được' is used for duration; 'rồi' indicates completion.
Tôi hy vọng họ sẽ thích món quà này.
I hope they will like this gift.
'Hy vọng' expresses a hope.
Họ tự học tiếng Việt qua mạng.
They teach themselves Vietnamese online.
'Tự' indicates a reflexive action (themselves).
Trong dòng họ tôi, ông là người lớn tuổi nhất.
In my clan, he is the oldest person.
'Dòng họ' refers to a lineage or clan.
Họ đã nỗ lực không ngừng để đạt được mục tiêu.
They made ceaseless efforts to achieve the goal.
'Nỗ lực không ngừng' is a formal phrase for tireless effort.
Dù khó khăn, họ vẫn giữ vững niềm tin.
Despite difficulties, they still maintained their faith.
'Dù... vẫn' means 'despite... still'.
Họ đại diện cho thế hệ trẻ đầy nhiệt huyết.
They represent a young generation full of enthusiasm.
'Đại diện' means to represent.
Chính họ là những người đã thay đổi bộ mặt thành phố.
It was they who changed the face of the city.
'Chính... là' is an emphatic structure.
Họ có xu hướng ưu tiên sự ổn định hơn là mạo hiểm.
They tend to prioritize stability over risk.
'Có xu hướng' means to have a tendency.
Những đóng góp của họ đã được ghi nhận xứng đáng.
Their contributions have been worthily recognized.
Passive voice with 'được'.
Họ đang đối mặt với những thách thức chưa từng có.
They are facing unprecedented challenges.
'Chưa từng có' means never before had/unprecedented.
Họ cùng nhau xây dựng một cộng đồng bền vững.
They together build a sustainable community.
'Bền vững' means sustainable.
Họ đã khéo léo lồng ghép các yếu tố văn hóa vào tác phẩm.
They skillfully integrated cultural elements into the work.
'Khéo léo' is an adverb meaning skillfully.
Bất kể dư luận nói gì, họ vẫn kiên định với lựa chọn của mình.
Regardless of what public opinion says, they remained steadfast in their choice.
'Bất kể' means regardless of.
Sự đoàn kết của họ là chìa khóa dẫn đến thành công.
Their solidarity is the key to success.
Abstract noun 'sự đoàn kết' (solidarity).
Họ đã chứng minh rằng ý chí con người là vô hạn.
They proved that human will is infinite.
'Chứng minh' means to prove.
Cách họ tiếp cận vấn đề mang tính đột phá.
The way they approach the problem is breakthrough in nature.
'Mang tính' means to have the quality of.
Họ đã âm thầm cống hiến suốt cả cuộc đời.
They have silently dedicated their whole lives.
'Âm thầm' means silently/quietly.
Dưới sự dẫn dắt của họ, tổ chức đã phát triển mạnh mẽ.
Under their leadership, the organization developed strongly.
'Sự dẫn dắt' means leadership/guidance.
Họ là minh chứng cho sức mạnh của lòng nhân ái.
They are a testament to the power of compassion.
'Minh chứng' means testament/evidence.
Họ đã khơi dậy những khát vọng tiềm ẩn trong lòng dân chúng.
They ignited the latent aspirations within the hearts of the populace.
Literary vocabulary: 'khơi dậy' (ignite), 'tiềm ẩn' (latent).
Những triết lý mà họ theo đuổi mang tầm vóc thời đại.
The philosophies they pursue carry the stature of the era.
'Tầm vóc' means stature/scale.
Họ đã vượt qua những rào cản định kiến để khẳng định mình.
They overcame barriers of prejudice to assert themselves.
'Định kiến' means prejudice.
Sự hiện diện của họ đã làm thay đổi hoàn toàn cục diện.
Their presence completely changed the situation/landscape.
'Cục diện' refers to the overall state of affairs.
Họ đã khôn khéo tận dụng các kẽ hở trong luật pháp.
They cleverly exploited loopholes in the law.
'Kẽ hở' means loopholes.
Họ là những nhân tố nòng cốt trong phong trào đổi mới.
They are core factors in the innovation movement.
'Nòng cốt' means core/essential.
Họ đã kiến tạo nên một kỷ nguyên mới cho ngành công nghệ.
They created a new era for the technology industry.
'Kiến tạo' is a high-level word for 'to create/construct'.
Bản sắc của họ được hun đúc qua hàng thế kỷ.
Their identity was forged over centuries.
'Hun đúc' means forged/tempered (metaphorically).
ترکیبهای رایج
عبارات رایج
Họ là ai?
Họ đang làm gì?
Họ đi đâu?
Họ nói gì?
Họ sống ở đâu?
Họ bao nhiêu tuổi?
Họ làm nghề gì?
Họ đến từ đâu?
Họ có khỏe không?
Họ thích cái gì?
اصطلاحات و عبارات
"Môn đăng hộ đối"
A marriage between families of equal social status.
Ngày xưa, các gia đình thường chọn dâu rể kiểu môn đăng hộ đối.
Literary/Formal"Họ hàng xa không bằng láng giềng gần"
A nearby neighbor is better than a distant relative.
Khi khó khăn, mới thấy họ hàng xa không bằng láng giềng gần.
Proverb"Vinh thân phì gia"
To benefit oneself and one's family/clan (often selfishly).
Hắn chỉ lo vinh thân phì gia.
Idiomatic"Làm rạng danh dòng họ"
To bring honor to one's family line.
Anh ấy đã làm rạng danh dòng họ bằng việc đỗ đạt cao.
Formal"Họ hàng hang hốc"
A disparaging way to refer to a whole extended family or 'the whole lot of them'.
Họ kéo cả họ hàng hang hốc đến đây.
Slang/Informal"Con nhà tông không giống lông cũng giống cánh"
Children of a certain family will inevitably resemble their parents/lineage.
Thằng bé vẽ đẹp giống bố, đúng là con nhà tông không giống lông cũng giống cánh.
Proverb"Một người làm quan cả họ được nhờ"
When one person becomes an official, the whole family benefits.
Đúng là một người làm quan cả họ được nhờ.
Proverb"Thay tên đổi họ"
To change one's identity completely.
Hắn đã thay tên đổi họ để trốn nợ.
Neutral"Họ nhà tôm"
A humorous way to refer to someone who is messy or 'shrimp-like' (rare/regional).
Đúng là cái đồ họ nhà tôm.
Slang"Gia đình dòng họ"
General term for the extended family structure.
Gia đình dòng họ là nền tảng của xã hội.
Formalخانواده کلمه
اسمها
فعلها
مرتبط
حفظ کنید
روش یادسپاری
Think of 'Họ' as 'HOusehold'. A household is 'they' (a group of people) and also where the family 'surname' comes from.
تداعی تصویری
Imagine a large family tree where the root is the 'Họ' (surname) and the branches are 'Họ' (they) standing together.
شبکه واژگان
چالش
Try to write three sentences: one using 'họ' as 'they', one as 'them', and one as 'surname'.
ریشه کلمه
Derived from the Middle Chinese word 姓 (MC: *sjèŋH), though the Vietnamese 'họ' is more closely linked to the concept of 'household' or 'group'.
معنای اصلی: Lineage, clan, or family unit.
Sino-Vietnamese.بافت فرهنگی
Avoid using 'chúng nó' for people you respect; always default to 'họ' or more specific titles.
English speakers often use 'they' for everything plural. In Vietnamese, you must switch to 'chúng' for non-humans.
Summary
The word 'họ' is your primary tool for referring to a group of people (they/them). Always remember that it is specific to humans. If you see it on a form, it's asking for your family name. Example: 'Họ là giáo viên' (They are teachers).
- Họ means 'they' or 'them' when referring to a group of people in Vietnamese.
- It is also the word for 'surname' or 'family name', which comes first in Vietnam.
- Unlike English 'they', it is almost never used for animals or inanimate objects.
- It is a neutral, polite word suitable for formal, informal, and professional contexts.
