hoặc
[hwak̚˧˨ʔ]
The English word "or" is translated into Vietnamese as hoặc.
hoặc is a conjunction used to connect two or more possibilities or alternatives.
Which one should you use?
While hoặc can be used in both statements and questions, hay is specifically common in interrogative sentences (questions) to offer alternatives. Hoặc là is a more formal or emphatic way to express "or" compared to the simple hoặc.
How does it change in a sentence?
In spoken Vietnamese, especially when asking a question between two choices, hay is often used instead of hoặc.
Did you know?
- The word hoặc shares a Chinese root with the word for 'confusion' or 'to bewilder', written as 惑. This connection suggests that the idea of choosing between alternatives is linguistically linked to a state of uncertainty.
- The word hay can function as 'or' in questions, but it also means 'interesting' or 'talented' when used as an adjective.
- In very casual speech, speakers may omit hoặc entirely and simply list the choices with a rising intonation on the first item to imply an 'or' relationship.
Examples in context
- Tôi muốn ăn kem hoặc đá bào.I want to eat either ice cream or shaved ice.This sentence is useful for choosing between two different foods using hoặc.Tatoeba #5758811 by yippe, translation #3777900 by CK
- Có ai đó đang hoặc đã ở đây.Somebody is or was here.This sentence demonstrates the use of hoặc to express different time states.Tatoeba #8961769 by dotheduyet1999, translation #2891853 by CK
- Tôi sẽ nghỉ phép 2 hoặc 3 ngày.I'll take two or three days off.This sentence shows how to use hoặc when providing a range of numbers.Tatoeba #1564371 by trieuho, translation #1229052 by CK
- Bạn có thích cà phê "hay" trà?Do you like coffee or tea?
- 42 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Minh are deciding what to drink at a cafe.
- MaiBạn muốn uống trà hoặc cà phê?Do you want to drink tea or coffee?
- MinhTôi chọn cà phê.I'll choose coffee.
- MaiVậy tôi sẽ uống trà.Then I will drink tea.
- MinhĐược, chúng ta gọi đồ thôi.Okay, let's order.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry hoặc, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries hoặc, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
