What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of bao nhiêu, which means "how much" and tiền, which means "money".
Which one should you use?
You can use Bao nhiêu tiền vậy? for a more informal and colloquial tone. If you want to be formal, use Xin hỏi giá bao nhiêu? For a very short version used in everyday conversation, you can say Giá mấy?
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
To be more polite and respectful, especially when speaking to elders or shopkeepers, add ạ at the end of the sentence, such as Cái này bao nhiêu tiền ạ? Another formal option is Xin hỏi giá bao nhiêu?
How does it change in a sentence?
You can omit the word tiền (money) and simply say Bao nhiêu? if the context of price is already clear. To provide more context and specificity, you can use Xin hỏi, cái này giá bao nhiêu ạ?
What mistakes should you avoid?
Be aware that bao nhiêu is used for both "how much" (uncountable) and "how many" (countable) in Vietnamese.
Did you know?
- In traditional Vietnamese markets, asking Bao nhiêu tiền? is often just the start of a negotiation, and the first price quoted is rarely intended to be the final price.
- The word bao originates from a Chinese character meaning 'wrap' or 'package', which is a common root for words involving containment.
- The word nhiêu is a doublet of nhiều, meaning 'many' or 'much', showing how a descriptive adjective evolved into a question word.
Examples in context
- Xin hỏi giá bao nhiêu?Excuse me, how much is it?
- Bao nhiêu tiền vậy?How much is it?
Example conversation
Minh is buying a fruit basket from Mai at a market.
- MinhGiỏ trái cây này bao nhiêu tiền?How much is this fruit basket?
- MaiDạ, một trăm nghìn đồng ạ.It is one hundred thousand dong.
- MinhTôi sẽ lấy một giỏ.I will take one basket.
- MaiCảm ơn anh Minh nhiều nhé.Thank you very much, Mr. Minh.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bao, nhiêu, tiền, CC BY-SA 4.0.
