ăn cơm đi
[ʔan˧˧ kəːm˧˧ ʔɗi˧˧]word by word
To say "eat your food" in Vietnamese, use ăn cơm đi.
The phrase ăn cơm đi is a command or suggestion used to tell someone to start eating their meal. It is most commonly used by parents to their children or between members of the same family to prompt someone to begin eating.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, ăn cơm đi translates to "eat rice go". The word ăn means "eat", cơm means "cooked rice" and đi is a particle used to encourage an action.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers might mistakenly say ăn thức ăn đi (eat food go) by translating "food" literally, but ăn cơm đi is the natural, idiomatic way to say "eat your food" or "eat your meal".
When do people say it?
In Vietnamese, the word cơm (cooked rice) is often used metonymically to refer to any meal, even if the meal actually consists of other items like noodles or bread.
Did you know?
- The word cơm may be related to an ancient Chinese word for the water used to wash rice or kitchen slops.
Examples in context
- Con ăn cơm đi.Eat your food, child.
- Mọi người ơi, ăn cơm đi!Everyone, eat your food!
- Anh ăn cơm đi cho nóng.Eat your food while it's hot, brother.
Example conversation
Nam and Mai are sitting at the dinner table.
- NamMai, ăn cơm đi.Mai, eat your food.
- MaiEm chờ anh Nam một chút.I am waiting for you for a moment, Nam.
- NamAnh đang ăn rồi đây.I am eating already.
- MaiVâng, em ăn đây.Okay, I'll eat now.
