(I'll do it) then: … vậy at the end
then, no other choice
Pattern: [sentence] + vậy
A2 · estimatespoken
Typed without accents: vay
At the end of a statement, vậy means "then, I suppose": you're settling for something because your first choice isn't possible. Hết phở rồi hả? Thôi, ăn bún vậy. No phở left? Oh well, I'll have bún then.
It often comes with thôi at the start (oh well, never mind), and sometimes with đành (have no choice but to) before the verb: Thôi, đành chờ vậy. Oh well, we'll just have to wait. It sounds calm and a little resigned, not upset.
It's also a mild way to go along with someone else's choice: Anh không đi thì em đi một mình vậy. If you're not going, I'll go on my own then.
Hà Nội uses this vậy too; thế doesn't replace it here.
In a question with gì, đâu or sao, the same word just softens the question: Anh đi đâu vậy? At the start of a reply, Vậy thì … means "in that case" and brings in a new plan rather than a shrug.
Examples
Highlighted words are what Saigon and Hà Nội say differently.
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Saigon
Hết phở rồi hả? Thôi, ăn bún vậy.
Hà Nội
Hết phở rồi à? Thôi, ăn bún vậy.
No phở left? Oh well, I'll have bún then.
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Saigon
Trời mưa lớn quá, thôi ở nhà vậy.
Hà Nội
Trời mưa to quá, thôi ở nhà vậy.
It's pouring, so I guess we'll stay home.
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Quán đóng cửa rồi, mình về nhà nấu vậy.
The restaurant's closed, so we'll go home and cook.
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Anh không đi thì em đi một mình vậy.
If you're not going, I'll go on my own then.