Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| nhìn | [ɲin˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ɲin˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| dòm | [zɔm˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [jɔm˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| nhòm | [ɲɔm˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ɲɔm˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| ngó | [ŋɔ˧˦] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ŋɔ˨˩˦] (Huế, narrow) |
These verbs are used to describe the act of trying to see something with the eyes. While nhìn is the standard term for looking or seeing, other forms change the nuance of how one is looking, such as peering, spying or peeking.
Which one should you use?
The choice of word depends on the intent of the gaze. nhìn is the standard, neutral verb for the act of looking or seeing. dòm implies looking in a way that is secretive, suspicious or peering intently. nhòm specifically describes peeking or looking through a small opening or from a hidden vantage point.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
For a formal way to say 'please look', you can use Hãy xem. In informal or colloquial situations, you might use Xem này to mean 'look' or 'check this out' or nhìn kìa to express 'look!' The word ngó is also colloquial and is used when taking a quick glance or a casual look.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In South Vietnam, the word Coi is often used in a casual context to mean 'look'.
Did you know?
- The word ngó descends from Old Chinese, specifically the word for 'lotus root'.
- While English speakers might use 'look' to describe how something appears, in Vietnamese you often switch to the verb xem if you are describing an observation or an examination.
Examples in context
- Nhìn lại gần đi.Look closer.This sentence shows how to use nhìn to tell someone to look closer.Tatoeba #13338372 by leucammieuvu, translation #2111607 by CK
- Nhìn đằng kia đi!Look over there!This sentence demonstrates using nhìn to direct someone's attention elsewhere.Tatoeba #13339886 by leucammieuvu, translation #10060918 by espamatics
- Bạn nhìn ngốc quá.You look stupid.This sentence illustrates using nhìn to describe an appearance.Tatoeba #5800 by trieuho, translation #1644 by CK
- Hãy xem tài liệu nàyPlease look at this document
- Hãy xem hình nàyPlease look at this picture
- Bạn hãy nhìn xem.You please look.
- Chúng ta cùng nhìn xem.Let's all look together.
- Xem này!Look at this!
- Xem cái này!Look at this thing!
- Nhìn kìa, đám trẻ đang chơi.Look, the kids are playing.
- Ông gọi tôi, nhìn kìa.He called me, look over there.
- Nhìn kìa, khách hàng đang đến.Look, the customer is arriving.
- 34 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hùng and Lan are looking at a painting in a gallery.
- HùngLan, hãy nhìn bức tranh này đi.Lan, look at this painting.
- LanNó đẹp quá, Hùng nhỉ?It's so beautiful, isn't it, Hùng?
- HùngNhìn kỹ những chi tiết nhỏ này xem.Look closely at these small details.
- LanĐúng rồi, tôi thấy rồi.You're right, I see them.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “look” translations and entries nhìn, dòm, nhòm, ngó, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries dòm, ngó, nhìn, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
