Signification
A polite way to start a question.
Contexte culturel
In the North, politeness is often more formal. Adding 'ạ' at the end of 'Cho hỏi...' is almost mandatory to avoid sounding blunt. Southerners tend to be more casual but still use 'Cho hỏi'. They might replace 'hỏi' with 'hỏi thăm' to make it sound friendlier. In professional emails, 'Cho hỏi' is often preceded by 'Tôi xin' to create a very respectful distance. On apps like Zalo or Facebook, 'Cho hỏi' is the standard way to avoid being 'seen' as a spammer or rude stranger.
The 'Ạ' Factor
Always add 'ạ' at the end of your question if you are speaking to someone older. It turns a polite question into a perfect one.
Don't be a robot
Smile when you say 'Cho hỏi'. Vietnamese culture values 'tươi cười' (smiling/cheerful) interactions.
Signification
A polite way to start a question.
The 'Ạ' Factor
Always add 'ạ' at the end of your question if you are speaking to someone older. It turns a polite question into a perfect one.
Don't be a robot
Smile when you say 'Cho hỏi'. Vietnamese culture values 'tươi cười' (smiling/cheerful) interactions.
Pronoun Power
If you don't know the pronoun, 'Cho hỏi' is safe, but 'Cho em hỏi' is always better if you look younger than the other person.
Teste-toi
Fill in the blank to ask for the price politely.
____ hỏi, cái này bao nhiêu tiền?
'Cho hỏi' is the standard polite opener for questions.
Which phrase is most appropriate when asking an older man for directions?
You want to ask a 'Chú' (uncle) where the bank is.
Using 'cháu' (grandchild/nephew) and 'ạ' at the end is the most respectful way for a younger person to address an older man.
Complete the dialogue at a restaurant.
Customer: 'Cho hỏi, quán có phở gà không?' Waiter: '____, quán em chỉ có phở bò thôi ạ.'
The waiter is answering a 'Yes/No' question politely.
Match the phrase to the situation.
1. Cho mình hỏi... 2. Xin cho hỏi... 3. Cho cháu hỏi...
Pronouns and prefixes change based on the social hierarchy and setting.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Common 'Cho hỏi' Scenarios
Travel
- • Directions
- • Bus stops
- • Train times
Food
- • Menu items
- • Prices
- • Ingredients
Social
- • Names
- • Hometowns
- • Ages
Banque d exercices
4 exercices____ hỏi, cái này bao nhiêu tiền?
'Cho hỏi' is the standard polite opener for questions.
You want to ask a 'Chú' (uncle) where the bank is.
Using 'cháu' (grandchild/nephew) and 'ạ' at the end is the most respectful way for a younger person to address an older man.
Customer: 'Cho hỏi, quán có phở gà không?' Waiter: '____, quán em chỉ có phở bò thôi ạ.'
The waiter is answering a 'Yes/No' question politely.
1. Cho mình hỏi... 2. Xin cho hỏi... 3. Cho cháu hỏi...
Pronouns and prefixes change based on the social hierarchy and setting.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsIt's better to use 'Ơi' (e.g., 'Anh ơi!') to get attention first, then say 'Cho hỏi' once they look at you.
Yes, but 'Xin cho hỏi' or 'Tôi xin hỏi' is more common in very formal letters.
They might think you are being weirdly formal or joking, like saying 'May I inquire, dear friend' in English.
In this context, it means 'Allow' or 'Let'. It's a causative verb.
Yes, 'Cho em hỏi' specifies that you are the younger person (em) asking, which is much more polite.
Absolutely, it's the standard way to start a query to a business or stranger on Zalo/Facebook.
Yes, it is universal across all regions of Vietnam.
There isn't a direct opposite, but 'Trả lời' is the act of answering.
Yes, 'tôi' is a neutral 'I', safe for most situations with strangers of a similar age.
With strangers, yes. It makes you sound demanding or poorly raised.
Expressions liées
Xin lỗi
similarExcuse me / Sorry
Làm ơn
builds onPlease
Hỏi thăm
specialized formTo ask after someone
Trả lời
contrastTo answer
Thắc mắc
similarTo wonder / have a doubt
