đi đi
[ʔɗi˧˧ ʔɗi˧˧]word by word
To say 'go away' in Vietnamese, use đi đi.
đi đi is used to dismiss someone immediately from your presence.
Meaning: to depart or leave a place (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb đi is repeated as đi đi to turn the verb into an imperative command, meaning 'go away' or 'go now'.
Which one should you use?
While đi đi is a direct way to say 'go away', other variations include Đi mau đi! for 'Go away quickly!', Biến đi! for 'Disappear!' and Đi chỗ khác! for 'Go somewhere else!'
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
đi đi is an informal and direct way to tell someone to leave, often used when one is annoyed or angry. Other forms like Đi mau đi! and Biến đi! are also informal.
How does it change in a sentence?
Repeating the verb đi as đi đi creates an imperative command.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Because đi đi is a command, using it with elders or in formal settings would be considered rude.
Did you know?
- The phrase biến đi uses a word that literally means 'to transform' or 'change' to tell someone to vanish.
- Because Vietnamese uses a complex system of pronouns based on age and social rank, using đi đi without a pronoun is a sign of extreme bluntness.
- Using đi as an imperative marker is a regional trend shared with Cantonese and Zhuang languages in Guangxi.
Examples in context
- Đi đi, tôi không muốn gặp bạn nữa.Go away, I don't want to see you anymore.
- Đừng ở đây nữa, đi đi!Don't stay here anymore, go away!
- Anh đi đi cho tôi nhờ.Just go away and leave me alone.
Example conversation
Tuấn and Mai are having a heated argument in a park.
- TuấnTôi thực sự rất giận cô.I am really angry with you.
- MaiAnh muốn gì ở tôi?What do you want from me?
- TuấnĐi đi, đừng làm phiền tôi nữa!Go away, don't bother me anymore!
- MaiĐược thôi, tôi sẽ đi.Fine, I will go.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (đi) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries đi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
