thôi đi
[tʰoj˧˧ ʔɗi˧˧]word by word
The English phrase "stop it" is translated into Vietnamese as thôi đi.
thôi đi is a command used to tell someone to cease an action that is annoying or inappropriate, such as teasing, joking excessively or behaving in an annoying manner.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of thôi, meaning to stop or cease and đi, meaning to go or walk. Together, they function as an imperative to cease an action.
Which one should you use?
You can use thôi ngay đi to say "stop it right now". Adding ngay (immediately) between thôi and đi increases the urgency and strength of the command.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
thôi đi is an informal command that can sound blunt or impatient depending on your tone of voice. For a more formal way to say "stop it", you may use Xin ngưng lại. Among friends or peers, the informal phrases Dừng đi or Đừng làm vậy nữa are also commonly used.
Did you know?
- In a formal setting, using thôi đi can be perceived as rude because it lacks the honorifics usually required when speaking to elders or superiors.
- The phrase thôi đi can sometimes be used to express resignation or giving up on a task, rather than just telling someone else to stop.
- Using đi as a command marker is a regional linguistic trait shared with other languages in the area, such as certain Cantonese and Zhuang dialects in Guangxi.
Examples in context
- Làm ơn, hãy dừng lại.Please, stop it.
- Có thể xin ngưng lại được không?Can you please stop it?
- Đừng làm vậy nữa, tôi không thích.Stop doing that, I don't like it.
- Thôi đi, tôi đang làm việc.Stop it, I am working.
- Thôi đi, đừng trêu chọc tôi nữa.Stop it, don't tease me anymore.
- Thôi đi, đừng làm ồn nữa.Stop it, don't make noise anymore.
Example conversation
Nam is teasing Hương about a mistake she made.
- NamEm cứ vụng về như thế này mãi.You are always this clumsy.
- HươngAnh thôi đi, em không muốn nghe nữa!Stop it, I don't want to hear it anymore!
- NamAnh chỉ đang trêu em thôi mà.I'm just teasing you.
- HươngThật sự là anh thôi đi nhé.Seriously, stop it now.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (thôi, đi) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries thôi, đi, CC BY-SA 4.0.
