Expressions that refer to something without specifying a concrete object, such as “I want to eat something” or “I want to go somewhere,” are essential in everyday conversation. In Vietnamese, you can create these indefinite expressions by adding words like “n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3” after interrogative words (G\u00ec, \u0110\u00e2u, Khi n\u00e0o, T\u1ea1i sao).<\/p>\n
[Explanation] By adding “\u0111\u00f3” (that) to “g\u00ec” (what), it takes on the meaning of “something” (an object or matter). It is used when the specific name is unknown or there is no need to mention it.<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 T\u00f4i mu\u1ed1n \u0103n c\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3<\/span> ng\u1ecdt. \u2461 H\u00ecnh nh\u01b0 c\u00f3 c\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3<\/span> sai sai. \u2462 B\u1ea1n \u0111ang t\u00ecm th\u1ee9<\/span> g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3<\/span> ph\u1ea3i kh\u00f4ng? [Explanation] This uses “\u0111\u00e2u” (where) to indicate an unspecified place. It can refer not only to a physical location but also to an abstract point, such as “somewhere in the story.”<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460 T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 \u0111\u1ec3 ch\u00eca kh\u00f3a \u1edf \u0111\u00e2u \u0111\u00f3<\/span> trong ph\u00f2ng. \u2461 Cu\u1ed1i tu\u1ea7n n\u00e0y m\u00ecnh \u0111i \u0111\u00e2u \u0111\u00f3<\/span> ch\u01a1i \u0111i. \u2462 T\u00f4i \u0111\u00e3 g\u1eb7p anh \u1ea5y \u1edf \u0111\u00e2u \u0111\u00f3<\/span> r\u1ed3i. [Explanation] Used to mean “sometime (in the future)” or “eventually.” It refers to a vague time and is convenient for making suggestions when a specific date hasn’t been set.<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460<\/span> L\u00fac n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3<\/span> ch\u00fang m\u00ecnh c\u00f9ng \u0111i c\u00e0 ph\u00ea nh\u00e9. \u2461 T\u00f4i s\u1ebd gh\u00e9 th\u0103m b\u1ea1n v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t ng\u00e0y n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3<\/span>. \u2462 T\u00f4i s\u1ebd k\u1ec3 cho b\u1ea1n nghe v\u00e0o m\u1ed9t<\/span> l\u00fac n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3<\/span>. [Explanation] This carries the nuance of “I don’t know why, but…” or “for some reason.” “T\u1ea1i sao \u0111\u00f3” is used, but in written text, the form “V\u00ec m\u1ed9t l\u00fd do n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3” (For a certain reason) is also frequently preferred.<\/span><\/p>\n Example Sentences:<\/strong><\/p>\n \u2460<\/span> T\u1ea1i sao \u0111\u00f3<\/span> m\u00e0 h\u00f4m nay t\u00f4i th\u1ea5y h\u01a1i bu\u1ed3n. \u2461<\/span> V\u00ec l\u00fd do n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3<\/span>, anh \u1ea5y \u0111\u00e3 kh\u00f4ng \u0111\u1ebfn d\u1ef1 ti\u1ec7c. \u2462<\/span> Kh\u00f4ng hi\u1ec3u sao<\/span> m\u00e1y t\u00ednh l\u1ea1i b\u1ecb h\u1ecfng.
\n\u2192 I want to eat something sweet.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I feel like something is wrong.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Are you looking for something?<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage 2: “\u0110\u00e2u \u0111\u00f3” – Somewhere<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 I left my keys somewhere in the room.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 Let’s go somewhere for fun this weekend.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I have met him somewhere before.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage 3: “Khi n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 \/ L\u00fac n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3” – Sometime<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 Let’s go grab a coffee sometime.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I will visit you someday.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 I will tell you about it sometime.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nUsage 4: “T\u1ea1i sao \u0111\u00f3 \/ V\u00ec l\u00fd do n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3” – For some reason<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
\n\u2192 For some reason, I feel a little sad today.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 For some reason, he didn’t come to the party.<\/p>\n
\n\u2192 For some reason, my computer broke down. I don’t know why.<\/p>\n<\/div>\nSummary: Combinations of Interrogatives for Indefinite Expressions<\/h3>\n
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\n \nEnglish<\/th>\n Vietnamese<\/th>\n Nuance<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n \n Something<\/strong><\/td>\n C\u00e1i g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3 \/ Th\u1ee9 g\u00ec \u0111\u00f3<\/td>\n Unspecified object or matter<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Somewhere<\/strong><\/td>\n \u0110\u00e2u \u0111\u00f3<\/td>\n Unspecified place<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Someone<\/strong><\/td>\n Ai \u0111\u00f3<\/td>\n Unspecified person<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Sometime<\/strong><\/td>\n L\u00fac n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3 \/ Khi n\u00e0o \u0111\u00f3<\/td>\n Unspecified time<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n\n