Meaning
Asking to look at something.
Cultural Background
Touching items in a market is expected. If you ask 'Cho tôi xem,' the seller expects you to handle the item to check its quality. The word 'coi' is used almost exclusively over 'xem' in casual speech. Using 'xem' can sound a bit formal or 'Northern.' Among Gen Z, 'Cho xem' is often shortened in texts to 'Cho xem' or even just sending a '?' when someone mentions something interesting. When asking to see a business card (danh thiếp), use both hands when receiving it after saying 'Cho tôi xem.'
The 'With' Trick
Always add 'với' at the end when asking friends. It makes you sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Pronoun Power
Never use 'tôi' with people older than you. It's the fastest way to sound rude in Vietnam.
Meaning
Asking to look at something.
The 'With' Trick
Always add 'với' at the end when asking friends. It makes you sound 100% more like a native speaker.
Pronoun Power
Never use 'tôi' with people older than you. It's the fastest way to sound rude in Vietnam.
Southern Style
If you are in Saigon, use 'coi' instead of 'xem'. People will be impressed by your local knowledge.
Body Language
Lean in slightly when saying 'Cho tôi xem' to show genuine interest.
Test Yourself
Fill in the blank with the correct pronoun to ask a friend to see their photo.
Cho ___ xem ảnh với!
'Mình' is the most natural and friendly pronoun to use with friends.
Which phrase is the most polite way to ask an older person to see something?
...
Using 'em' and adding 'ạ' is the standard polite form for elders.
Match the Vietnamese phrase with its English equivalent.
1. Cho tôi xem menu. 2. Cho tôi xem ảnh. 3. Cho tôi xem hộ chiếu.
Menu = thực đơn/menu, Photo = ảnh, Passport = hộ chiếu.
Complete the dialogue at a market.
Customer: Cái túi này đẹp quá. ___ Seller: Đây, chị cầm thử đi.
The seller's response 'Here, hold it' implies the customer asked to see/inspect it.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Regional Differences
Practice Bank
4 exercisesCho ___ xem ảnh với!
'Mình' is the most natural and friendly pronoun to use with friends.
...
Using 'em' and adding 'ạ' is the standard polite form for elders.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
Menu = thực đơn/menu, Photo = ảnh, Passport = hộ chiếu.
Customer: Cái túi này đẹp quá. ___ Seller: Đây, chị cầm thử đi.
The seller's response 'Here, hold it' implies the customer asked to see/inspect it.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but usually you'd say 'Cho tôi xem phim' (Let me watch the movie).
It's neutral. With strangers of equal age, it's fine. With elders, it's rude unless you change the pronoun.
'Xem' is to watch/examine/look at something with purpose. 'Nhìn' is just to look in a direction.
Use 'Vui lòng cho tôi xem' or 'Cho phép tôi xem'.
Yes, 'Cho tôi xem trang web của bạn' is perfectly fine.
That is the Southern Vietnamese dialect. It means exactly the same thing.
Yes, but usually you'd say 'Cho cô/chú xem nào' (Let auntie/uncle see).
No, in this context it's a causative verb meaning 'let' or 'allow'.
You can say 'Cho tôi xem cái kia' (Let me see that one over there).
In Vietnamese, pronouns don't change for subject or object. 'Tôi' can be both.
Related Phrases
Cho tôi biết
similarLet me know
Cho tôi đi
builds onLet me go
Để tôi xem
confusingLet me see (think about it)
Cho tôi mượn
similarLet me borrow
Cho tôi hỏi
similarLet me ask
