What is oi in Vietnamese translation? In Vietnamese, “ơi” (often written as “oi” in English) is a versatile interjection used to call someone’s attention, express emotions like surprise or frustration, or simply as a way to address someone, similar to “hey” or “oh” in English.
Functions of oi in Vietnamese
“Ơi” is a vocative particle, meaning it’s used to call someone’s attention or address them.
Examples:
“Em ơi” (Hey, you/baby)
“Mẹ ơi” (Hey, Mom)
“Anh ơi” (Hey, older brother/man)
“Chị ơi” (Hey, older sister/woman)
Meaning of oi in Vietnamese
The exact meaning can vary depending on the context and tone. It can express:
Attention: “Em ơi, dậy đi thôi” (Hey baby, wake up!)
Surprise or Exasperation: “Ôi trời ơi!” (Oh my God!)
See more: What does trời ơi mean?
Affection or Urgency: “Em bé ơi” (Hey baby)
Similarities to English: “Oi” can be similar to saying “hey,” “oh,” “wow,” or “oh my” in English, depending on the context and tone.
How to use oi in Vietnamese restaurants
A very common situation you will use “ơi” in Vietnam is when you’re in a Vietnamese restaurant and would like to order foods or drinks. At that time, you can use these Vietnamese phrases to draw attention of waiters or waitresses.
- Em ơi! (Em ơi is used to call attention of waiters and waitresses who are younger than you)
- Anh ơi! (Anh ơi is used to call attention of waiters who are a bit older than you)
- Chị ơi! (Em ơi is used to call attention of waitresses who are a bit older than you)
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