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In Vietnamese, expressions that indicate quantity without specifying an exact number—such as “a few,” “dozens,” or “hundreds”—are used very frequently in everyday conversation. In this lesson, let’s learn about four main expressions (Mấy, Vài, Hàng, Chục) used to emphasize a large quantity or convey a rough estimate.
Usage 1: “Mấy” – A few, some (small numbers)
[Explanation] In question sentences, “Mấy” means “how many?”, but in affirmative sentences, it means “a few” or “some.” It is typically used to refer to a small, indefinite number, usually around 2 to 9.
Example Sentences:
① Tôi đã đợi anh ấy mấy tiếng đồng hồ rồi.
→ I have been waiting for him for a few hours.
② Trong tủ lạnh còn mấy quả trứng.
→ There are a few eggs left in the fridge.
Usage 2: “Vài” – A couple of, a few (very small number)
[Explanation] “Vài” is an expression that strongly conveys the nuance of a very small number, like “a couple of” or “two or three.” It gives the impression of an even smaller amount than “Mấy.” It is also sometimes used in the set phrase “Vài ba” as a slightly more formal expression.
Example Sentences:
③ Cho tôi vài phút để chuẩn bị nhé.
→ Please give me a couple of minutes to prepare.
④ Anh ấy chỉ uống vài hớp nước rồi đi ngay.
→ He took just a few sips of water and left immediately.
Usage 3: “Chục” – Units of 10 (Used similarly to a “dozen”)
[Explanation] “Chục” is a colloquial expression referring to a “group of 10.” It is often used instead of “mười” (ten). In addition to meaning “10” on its own, it is also used in the form “Mấy chục” (dozens) to convey the nuance of “quite a lot.”
Example Sentences:
⑤ Tôi mua hai chục trứng ở chợ.
→ I bought 20 eggs (two groups of 10) at the market.
⑥ Có mấy chục người đang xếp hàng.
→ There are dozens of people waiting in line.
Usage 4: “Hàng” – Hundreds/Thousands of… (Emphasizing large quantities)
[Explanation] By placing “Hàng” before a numerical unit, it expresses surprise or emphasizes a large quantity, similar to adding an “s” in English (e.g., hundreds of, thousands of). For example, “Hàng trăm” means “hundreds of,” and it is used when you want to emphasize that the number is larger than just saying “Vài trăm” (a few hundred).
Example Sentences:
⑦ Hàng ngàn người đã tham gia lễ hội.
→ Thousands of people participated in the festival.
⑧ Công việc này tốn hàng tháng trời mới xong.
→ This job took months to finish.
Comparisons and Key Points
| Expression | Nuance | Tips for Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Vài | 2 – 3 (Very small) | Use when you want to say “just a little bit” or “a couple.” |
| Mấy | A few (Small) | The most common word used for a vague number less than 10. |
| Mấy chục | Dozens (Medium) | Use for numbers that make you feel like, “Wow, there’s quite a lot.” |
| Hàng + Unit | Tens/Hundreds/Thousands of… (Large) | Use when you want to emphasize or show surprise at a large number. |
*Note: “Chục” is an expression used very often in the South. In some areas, there is a custom of counting 12 items as “1 chục” when buying fruits (similar to the concept of a dozen), but generally, it is perfectly fine to just remember it as “10.”