già
[zaː˨˩]
The phrase 'old' in Vietnamese is expressed by già.
già is primarily used to describe living beings, such as people or animals, that have lived for many years. It can also be used metaphorically to describe things that are overripe or excessively aged, such as trái cây già (overripe fruit). When specifically discussing a person's advanced age, the phrase Tuổi cao may be used.
Which one should you use?
In Vietnamese, it is important to distinguish between living and non-living things. Use già for people or animals that are old, but use cũ when referring to inanimate objects that are old.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, già typically follows the noun it modifies in a standard sentence structure.
Did you know?
- The word già is a cognate with words in the Muong, Tho and Bahnar languages, tracing back to a common Proto-Mon-Khmer ancestor.
Examples in context
- Anh ấy đã mua chiếc xe hơi cũ.He bought an old car.
- Bạn ấy hôm nay trông già thật đấy!He looks really old today!
- Hãy dùng tiếng Việt lịch sự khi nói chuyện với cụ.Use polite Vietnamese when speaking with the elderly.
- Ông ấy đã già rồi.He is old already.
- Bà cụ trông rất già.The old lady looks very old.
- Tôi không muốn trông già đi.I don't want to look old.
Example conversation
Two friends are talking about their grandfather's health.
- HươngÔng nội của Nam đã già rồi phải không?Nam's grandfather is old already, right?
- NamĐúng vậy, ông ấy đã rất già.That's right, he is very old.
- HươngÔng ấy có khỏe không?Is he healthy?
- NamÔng ấy vẫn khỏe dù đã già.He is still healthy even though he is old.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry già, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries già, CC BY-SA 4.0.
