Which one should you use?
Different forms are used to target specific social relationships: Anh/chị đang làm gì? is used for someone older or in a higher position, while Em đang làm gì? is used for someone younger or in a lower position. Cậu đang làm gì? is an informal way to address a close friend or someone younger. Mày đang làm gì? is also informal and used when addressing someone of the same age or in a casual setting.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word bạn is a neutral way to say "you" among peers. However, the phrase đang làm gì can be used as a standalone question meaning "doing what" if the context of the subject is already clear. It is important to remember that in Vietnamese, the subject "you" must change based on the listener's age and social status rather than always using bạn.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use bạn for all social situations. Instead, you should select a specific pronoun like anh, chị, em or cháu to reflect your relationship with the listener.
Did you know?
- The word bạn can mean 'friend' or 'companion', but it is also a Sino-Vietnamese word meaning 'rebel' depending on which Chinese character is used.
- While English speakers use 'what' as a general question, in many parts of Vietnam, the word chi is used instead of gì to mean 'what'.
Example conversation
Nam calls Lan on the phone.
- NamAlo Lan, bạn đang làm gì đấy?Hello Lan, what are you doing?
- LanMình đang đọc sách, còn Nam?I am reading a book, how about you, Nam?
- NamMình đang chuẩn bị đi ngủ.I am getting ready to go to sleep.
- LanChúc Nam ngủ ngon nhé!Good night, Nam!
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bạn, gì, làm, đang, CC BY-SA 4.0.
