lại đây
[laːj˧˨ʔ ʔɗəj˧˧]word by word
In Vietnamese, "come here" is said as lại đây.
This phrase is a request or command for someone to move toward your current location. In natural Vietnamese, lại đây is almost always preceded by a pronoun (like em, anh, con) to specify who is being addressed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of two parts: lại, which means "towards / to come closer" and đây, which means "here".
How does it change in a sentence?
Adding the particle đi at the end of lại đây makes the command sound more like a suggestion or a softer request, though it is still an imperative. Using lại đây without any pronouns is very blunt and can sound rude if used with elders or superiors. It is typically used by someone in a higher social position to someone lower, or between close friends.
Did you know?
- In Vietnam, beckoning someone to lại đây is traditionally done with the palm facing down and waving the fingers toward the speaker. Doing so with the palm up is often considered rude or is used only for animals.
- The word lại is possibly related to the Chinese character 來, which also means 'to come' or 'to arrive'.
- The word lại is a linguistic 'chameleon' that can also mean 'again' or 'to return' in other contexts, such as in the phrase lại nữa.
Examples in context
- Lại đây.Come here.This sentence shows the basic form of lại đây.Tatoeba #9752325 by dotheduyet1999, translation #39944 by Swift
- Lại đây đi.Come here!This sentence shows how adding the particle đi softens the command.Tatoeba #9752326 by dotheduyet1999, translation #5295840 by KatKoba
- Anh/chị xin hãy đến đây.Sir/Madam, please come here.
- Bạn ơi, đến đây đi.Hey, come here (friendly tone).
- Em yêu, đến đây nè.Sweetheart, come here (affectionate/playful tone).
- Em lại đây với anh.Come here to me, dear.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn is calling Mai over to show her something on his phone.
- TuấnMai, lại đây!Mai, come here!
- MaiCó chuyện gì thế anh?What is the matter, Tuấn?
- TuấnXem cái này này.Look at this.
- MaiỒ, hay quá!Oh, that's great!
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (lại, đây) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lại, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
