Vietnamese 'vị' Classifier Usage (Polite Classifier for People)
vị is a polite and formal classifier used for people, often for teachers, guests, experts, etc.
Quick explanation
Quick explanation
vị is a polite and formal classifier used for people, often for teachers, guests, experts, etc.
English meanings
- a polite classifier for people
- honorific classifier
Grammar pattern
Examples
1
Có ba vị khách đang chờ.
There are three guests waiting.
2
Cô ấy là một vị giáo sư nổi tiếng.
She is a famous professor.
How to use it
vị is more respectful than người and is commonly used in formal introductions, service contexts, and polite address.
- Used for formal or respectful reference to people.
- Commonly used with khách (guest), giáo sư (professor), chuyên gia (expert).
- For everyday people, người is more common.
Compared with English
Compared with English
Like English honorifics such as 'Mr.' or 'Ms.', vị conveys respect and formality compared to the neutral 'person'.
Common mistakes
Có ba cái khách đang chờ.
Có ba vị khách đang chờ.
For guests, use vị or người, not cái.
Tôi có một vị bạn.
Tôi có một người bạn.
For ordinary friends, người is used unless in very formal or respectful contexts.
Commonly confused grammar
Practice
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses vị?
Show answer
Multiple choice
Which sentence correctly uses vị?
- Có ba vị khách đang chờ.
- Có ba cái khách đang chờ.
- Tôi có một vị bạn.
Answer: Có ba vị khách đang chờ.
Explanation: vị is used for formal or respectful people.
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Có ba ____ khách đang chờ.
Show answer
Fill in the blank
Fill in the blank: Có ba ____ khách đang chờ.
Answer: Có ba vị khách đang chờ.
Explanation: Used for formal or respectful people.
English to Vietnamese
Translate "There are three guests waiting." into Vietnamese.
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English to Vietnamese
Translate "There are three guests waiting." into Vietnamese.
Answer: Có ba vị khách đang chờ.
Explanation: Use vị in the same structure as the example.
True or false
vị can replace all classifiers like the English word 'a'.
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True or false
vị can replace all classifiers like the English word 'a'.
Answer: False
Explanation: Vietnamese cái is common, but many nouns have more natural or precise classifiers.
Correction
Correct this sentence: Có ba cái khách đang chờ.
Show answer
Correction
Correct this sentence: Có ba cái khách đang chờ.
Answer: Có ba vị khách đang chờ.
Explanation: For guests, use vị or người, not cái.