Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The form tôi là is a neutral or formal way to say "I am," used when your relationship to the listener is not predefined or when you wish to maintain a polite distance. For a more informal setting among friends or close acquaintances, you may use Tớ là.
How does it change in a sentence?
In Vietnamese, the word for "I" is often replaced by kinship terms to ensure the speech is socially appropriate. Depending on the age and gender of the person you are speaking to, you might replace tôi with terms such as em, anh, chị or cháu.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using là to translate the English "am" in sentences involving adjectives. For example, do not say tôi là đói to mean "I am hungry". In Vietnamese, adjectives function like verbs and do not require là.
Did you know?
- The neutral word for 'I' in tôi là, which is used in textbooks, actually has its roots in the word for 'slave' or 'servant'.
Examples in context
- Tôi là vợ tôi.I am my wife.This sentence shows how to use tôi là to identify oneself in relation to a spouse.Tatoeba #13565086 by leucammieuvu, translation #13565084 by leucammieuvu
- Tôi là con người.I am a human being.This sentence uses tôi là to define one's species or nature.Tatoeba #9739357 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2297306 by Hybrid
- Tôi là chồng tôi.I am my husband.This sentence demonstrates the use of tôi là to identify oneself in relation to a spouse.Tatoeba #13565088 by leucammieuvu, translation #13565085 by leucammieuvu
- Tôi là người Mỹ.I am American.
- Tôi là giáo viên.I am a teacher.
- Tôi là nhân viên công ty ABC.I am an employee at ABC company.
- Tôi đang làm việc tại đại học.I am currently working at the university.
- Tôi đang làm quản lý dự án.I am currently working as a project manager.
- Tớ là sinh viên.I am a student.
- 20 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a networking event where two people are meeting for the first time.
- MaiXin chào, tôi là Mai.Hello, I am Mai.
- NamChào chị, tôi là Nam.Hello, I am Nam.
- MaiRất vui được gặp anh.Nice to meet you.
- NamTôi cũng vậy.Me too.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (tôi, là) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries là, tôi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
