ở
[ʔəː˧˩]
The English verb 'stay' is translated into Vietnamese as ở.
ở is used to express the act of remaining in a particular place. It can also be the standard verb used to mean 'to live' or 'to reside' at a specific address.
Meaning: to remain in a particular place (verb)
Which one should you use?
While ở can mean to stay in a temporary sense, it is also used to mean 'to live' or 'to be located at'. To emphasize the act of staying behind or remaining in a place after others have left, use the phrase ở lại. When discussing staying overnight at a location such as a hotel or a friend's house, ở lại is more common than just ở to express the duration of the stay.
How does it change in a sentence?
To express the continuous action of staying or being currently located somewhere, place đang before ở to form đang ở. To emphasize staying behind, add the verb lại to the end of the word to form ở lại.
Did you know?
- Although the Vietnamese word ở looks and acts like the Chinese character 於, they are false cognates and are not actually related.
- The word ở can function as a 'copula' in certain contexts, acting like the English verb 'to be' to indicate where someone is located.
Examples in context
- Cứ ở đấy đi.Stay there.This sentence is useful for the command 'Stay there.' using ở.Tatoeba #13339790 by leucammieuvu, translation #462476 by lukaszpp
- Để Tom ở lại.Let Tom stay.This sentence is useful for the command 'Let Tom stay.' using ở.Tatoeba #3470046 by tucm, translation #2235861 by CK
- Hãy ở đây đi.Stay here.This sentence is useful for the command 'Stay here.' using ở.Tatoeba #13338393 by leucammieuvu, translation #2111512 by CK
- Tôi muốn ở lại khách sạn này.I want to stay at this hotel.
- Chúng tôi rất vui khi bạn ở lại miền Bắc.We would be delighted if you stay in the North.
- Công ty chúng tôi đề xuất gói lưu trú cao cấp cho nhóm của bạn.Our company proposes a premium accommodation package for your group.
- Bạn có thể ở nhà tôi không?Can you stay at my house?
- Bạn ở lại nhà mình nghỉ ngơi nhé.You stay at my house to rest.
- 77 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Minh and Huong are deciding what to do with their evening.
- MinhHương ơi, em có muốn ở lại chơi không?Huong, do you want to stay and play?
- HươngEm muốn ở lại, nhưng em phải về sớm.I want to stay, but I have to go home early.
- MinhVậy anh sẽ ở cùng em một lát.Then I will stay with you for a bit.
- HươngCảm ơn anh, Minh.Thank you, Minh.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stay” translations and entries ở, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ở, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
