à

Meanings

1. checking back

   particle

   Goes at the end of a statement to check something you have just heard or noticed, often with a little surprise. Casual; the everyday word in Hà Nội, and common in Saigon beside hả.

   Not the same word as ạ, the polite ending: à asks, ạ only adds respect.

   • Chị không ăn cay à?

     You don't eat spicy food?

   • Em về rồi à?

     You're home already?

   In Saigon you say hả.

   A1to recognizeGrammar: Double-checking what you just heard: hả / à

2. ah, oh

   interjection

   Comes first, with a short pause after it, as a thought comes to you: À, …

   • À, em hiểu rồi.

     Ah, I get it now.

   • À, tối nay mình ăn gì?

     Oh, what are we eating tonight?

   A1Grammar: Oh, by the way: À, … at the start