Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| nào đó | [naːw˨˩ ʔɗɔ˧˦] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
| gì đó | [zi˨˩ ʔɗɔ˧˦] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
The term 'some' is used to refer to things that are certain, unspecified or unknown. When you want to express a certain number, you might use related forms such as vài, một vài or một số. If you are referring to an indefinite quantity or number, một ít is used.
Which one should you use?
The choice between forms depends on what you are describing. Use nào đó when referring to a specific but unidentified person, place or thing, such as 'some lake'. Use gì đó when the identity of the thing is unknown or when you are referring to an unspecified object or concept, such as 'some white powder' or 'something strange'.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase nào đó typically follows the noun it modifies. The phrase gì đó typically follows the noun or the classifier it modifies.
Did you know?
- The word đó in the phrase nào đó shares an ancient root with the word for 'trap' in various Vietic languages. While it now serves as a demonstrative, its historical origins are linked to the act of trapping or straining.
- When using gì đó to mean 'something', you are essentially using a word that evolved from an interrogative 'what'. It is a way of pointing to an object by its lack of a known name.
Examples in context
- Có thứ bột trắng gì đó trên sàn.There was some kind of white powder on the floor.This sentence is useful for practicing the use of gì đó to describe an unknown substance.Tatoeba #4580276 by khoaharp, translation #3170663 by CK
- Có điều gì đó rất kỳ lạ đang xảy ra ở đây.There are some very strange things going on here.This sentence demonstrates how gì đó can be used to refer to an unspecified or strange occurrence.Tatoeba #5147755 by truongap, translation #2985459 by sharptoothed
- Cô ấy đã gieo mình xuống một cái hồ nào đó.She drowned herself in some lake.This sentence shows how to use nào đó when referring to an unidentified place.Tatoeba #9010533 by dotheduyet1999, translation #310338 by CK
- Một số sách ở trên giá sách này thuộc về tôi.Some of the books on this bookshelf belong to me.
- Cho tôi vài quả táo.Give me some apples.
- Tôi chỉ cần một chút kem.I just need some ice cream.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nam and Huong are looking for a specific book in a library.
- NamCuốn sách này nằm ở kệ nào đó quanh đây.This book is on some shelf around here.
- HươngTôi không thấy nó, anh có chắc không?I don't see it, are you sure?
- NamCó lẽ nó ở một góc nào đó phía kia.Maybe it is in some corner over there.
- HươngĐể tôi đi kiểm tra thử xem sao.Let me go check and see.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “some” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (nào, đó, gì) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gì, nào, đó, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
