cái gì
[kaːj˧˦ zi˨˩]
In Vietnamese, the phrase for "something" is cái gì. Wiktionary also lists một cái gì đó.
Meaning: unspecified object (pron)
Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| cái gì | [kaːj˧˦ zi˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kaːj˨˩˦ jɪj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
| một cái gì đó | [mot̚˧˨ʔ kaːj˧˦ zi˨˩ ʔɗɔ˧˦] (Hà Nội, word by word, narrow) |
The term is used as an indefinite pronoun to refer to an unspecified object.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cái gì đó is composed of cái (classifier for objects), gì (what) and đó (that), literally meaning "that what".
Which one should you use?
While cái gì is the base form, adding the particle đó at the end transforms the question word "what" into the indefinite pronoun "something".
How does it change in a sentence?
The addition of the particle đó at the end of cái gì is what transforms the question word "what" into the indefinite pronoun "something".
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Tom muốn uống cái gì đó.Tom wanted something to drink.This sentence shows how to express a desire for cái gì to drink.Tatoeba #3468144 by tucm, translation #2542187 by CK
- Tôi đã tìm thấy cái gì đó.I've found something out.This sentence illustrates the use of cái gì for finding something out.Tatoeba #3468112 by tucm, translation #2064681 by CK
- Hãy thử cái gì đó mới mẻ đi.Let's try something new.This sentence demonstrates using cái gì to suggest trying something new.Tatoeba #9739498 by dotheduyet1999, translation #4666638 by CK
- 16 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mai and Nam are talking about lunch.
- MaiAnh muốn ăn cái gì không?Do you want to eat something?
- NamCó, tôi đang thấy hơi đói.Yes, I am feeling a bit hungry.
- MaiVậy mình đi tìm cái gì ăn nhé.Then let's go find something to eat.
- NamĐược, đi thôi Mai.Okay, let's go, Mai.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “something” translations and entries cái gì, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (một, cái, gì, đó) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cái, cái gì, gì, một, đó, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
