Ways to say it
| Vietnamese | IPA |
|---|---|
| đây | [ʔɗəj˧˧] (Hà Nội, narrow) [ʔɗəj˧˧] (Huế, narrow) |
| cái này | [kaːj˧˦ naj˨˩] (Hà Nội, narrow) [kaːj˨˩˦ naj˦˩] (Huế, narrow) |
The word 'this' is used to indicate the item or thing being pointed out. While đây is a general term that can act as a pronoun for 'this' or an adverb for 'here', it is also the standard way to introduce or identify something or someone using the structure Đây là… (This is…). Specific contexts require different forms of 'this': – Use Chuyện này when referring to a situation or matter. – Use Việc này when speaking about tasks or specific work. – Use Miếng này when referring to a piece or a slice of something.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase cái này literally means 'this thing', composed of cái (a classifier for objects) and này (this).
Which one should you use?
đây functions as a pronoun to mean 'this' or as an adverb to mean 'here', often used to indicate location or introduce a subject. In contrast, cái này is specifically used as a demonstrative pronoun to refer to a physical object or thing.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The word này functions as a determiner that follows a noun to mean 'this [noun]', whereas đây and cái này function more as standalone pronouns. The related form này can also mean 'the (thing) here' when used as a determiner.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Đây là cái gì?What's this?This sentence is useful for asking what something is using đây.Tatoeba #9183316 by dotheduyet1999, translation #413821 by CK
- Cái này của aiWhose is this?This sentence is useful for asking ownership of an object using cái này.Tatoeba #12594811 by thanhcona40, translation #2302 by CK
- Cái này dễ mà.This was easy.This sentence is useful for describing the difficulty of something using cái này.Tatoeba #13341067 by leucammieuvu, translation #3825012 by CK
- Cái này là một cuốn sách.This is a book.
- Chuyện này quan trọng.This is an important matter.
- Việc này cần phải hoàn thành.This task needs to be completed.
- Cái này ngon.This is delicious.
- Con chó này dễ thương.This dog is cute.
- Áo này nhỏ quá.This shirt is too small.
- Cửa hàng này to lắm.This store is very big.
- 293 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Tuấn and Hương are at a market looking at fruit.
- TuấnĐây là xoài hay mít vậy?Is this a mango or a jackfruit?
- HươngĐây là xoài, Tuấn ạ.This is a mango, Tuấn.
- TuấnTôi sẽ mua cái này.I will buy this one.
- HươngĐược, để tôi chọn cho.Okay, let me pick it for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “this” translations and entries đây, cái này, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries cái, cái này, này, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
