Vietnamese 'ai vậy' Usage (Who is it? / Who?)
'ai vậy' is a natural colloquial way to ask 'Who is it?' or 'Who?' in Vietnamese.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
'ai vậy' is a natural colloquial way to ask 'Who is it?' or 'Who?' in Vietnamese.
English meanings
- Who is it?
- Who?
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Người kia là ai vậy?
Who is that person?
2
Ai vậy?
Who is it?
How to use it
The word 'vậy' adds a conversational tone, making the question sound more immediate and situational. 'ai vậy' is commonly used when seeing someone, hearing a name, or when unsure about someone's identity.
- Commonly used in spoken Vietnamese.
- Used to ask about someone's identity.
- Tone depends on context; can be direct or casual.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Similar to the English informal 'Who is it?' or 'Who?', 'ai vậy' is more colloquial than just 'ai' alone.
Common mistakes
Vậy ai người kia?
Người kia là ai vậy?
'ai vậy' usually appears at the end of the identifying clause.
Người kia ai vậy là?
Người kia là ai vậy?
'là' should be placed between the subject and the question focus.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'ai vậy'?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses 'ai vậy'?
- Người kia là ai vậy?
- Vậy ai người kia?
- Người kia ai vậy là?
Answer: Người kia là ai vậy?
Explanation: This is the common colloquial form.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Người kia là ____?
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Người kia là ____?
Answer: Người kia là ai vậy?
Explanation: This is the common colloquial form.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Who is that person?" into Vietnamese.
Show answer
English to Vietnamese
Translate "Who is that person?" into Vietnamese.
Answer: Người kia là ai vậy?
Explanation: Use ai vậy in the same structure as the example.
True or false
The position of 'ai vậy' can be exactly like the English question word at the start of the sentence.
Show answer
True or false
The position of 'ai vậy' can be exactly like the English question word at the start of the sentence.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese question words often remain in their original grammatical position, especially words like 'ai', 'gì', 'đâu', 'bao lâu'.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Vậy ai người kia?
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Vậy ai người kia?
Answer: Người kia là ai vậy?
Explanation: 'ai vậy' usually appears at the end of the identifying clause.