Signification
Giving simple directional instructions.
Contexte culturel
In Hanoi, people strictly use 'rẽ' for turning. Using 'quẹo' might mark you as a visitor from the South. In Ho Chi Minh City, 'quẹo' is the dominant word. It sounds softer and more casual to Southern ears. When giving directions, people often use landmarks (like a specific gas station or a yellow house) because street signs can be hard to find. Always add 'ạ' at the end when giving directions to someone older than you, like a taxi driver who looks like your uncle.
Use your hands
Vietnamese people often use hand gestures while saying this. Pointing straight then sweeping your hand left will help if your tones aren't perfect yet.
Watch the tones
If you say 'thẳng' with a flat tone, it might not be understood. Make sure it rises!
Signification
Giving simple directional instructions.
Use your hands
Vietnamese people often use hand gestures while saying this. Pointing straight then sweeping your hand left will help if your tones aren't perfect yet.
Watch the tones
If you say 'thẳng' with a flat tone, it might not be understood. Make sure it rises!
The Southern Switch
If you are in Saigon, use 'quẹo' instead of 'rẽ' to sound like a local immediately.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing word to complete the direction.
Đi thẳng ___ rẽ trái.
'Rồi' is the standard conjunction for sequential actions like 'go straight THEN turn'.
Which sentence means 'Go straight then turn left'?
Chọn câu đúng:
'Trái' means left and 'Thẳng' means straight.
Match the Vietnamese words with their English meanings.
Ghép cặp:
These are the five core components of the phrase.
Complete the dialogue between a passenger and a driver.
Tài xế: 'Đến đây rẽ đâu ạ?' - Khách: 'Anh đi ___ rồi rẽ trái.'
'Thẳng' (straight) is the only word that makes sense in a directional context.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Directional Vocabulary
Actions
- • Đi
- • Rẽ
- • Quẹo
- • Dừng
Directions
- • Thẳng
- • Trái
- • Phải
- • Sau
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesĐi thẳng ___ rẽ trái.
'Rồi' is the standard conjunction for sequential actions like 'go straight THEN turn'.
Chọn câu đúng:
'Trái' means left and 'Thẳng' means straight.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the five core components of the phrase.
Tài xế: 'Đến đây rẽ đâu ạ?' - Khách: 'Anh đi ___ rồi rẽ trái.'
'Thẳng' (straight) is the only word that makes sense in a directional context.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, if you are already at the corner. But 'Đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái' is better if the turn is further ahead.
Not strictly, but it makes the sequence much clearer. Without it, you sound like a robot.
Just replace 'trái' with 'phải'. The phrase becomes 'Đi thẳng rồi rẽ phải'.
Say 'Đi thẳng rồi rẽ trái ở đèn xanh đèn đỏ'.
It is the standard form used in textbooks and Northern Vietnam. It's safe to use everywhere.
It means 'straight'. It can also mean 'honest' in other contexts.
Yes, it works for any spatial navigation, including hallways.
That is the Southern Vietnamese dialect. Both are correct, but 'quẹo' is more common in the South.
Add 'Làm ơn' (Please) at the start or 'ạ' at the end.
Yes, it can mean 'fruit' (trái cây) or 'wrong/opposite' (trái ngược).
Expressions liées
Đi thẳng rồi rẽ phải
contrastGo straight then turn right
Đi ngược lại
similarGo back / Go the opposite way
Đi đến cuối đường
builds onGo to the end of the road
Quẹo trái
synonymTurn left (Southern dialect)
