# cậu meaning in Vietnamese: you (A1)

> cậu means “you” in Vietnamese. It can also mean mother's younger brother. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/cau-you-friends/ · Updated 2026-10-31

**cậu**: you (friends) · mother's younger brother

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: cau

## 1. you (friends) (pronoun)

you

Northern, between young friends, who call themselves *tớ*. In Saigon: *bạn*, or *ông* and *bà*.

- Cậu ăn cơm chưa? — Have you eaten yet? (to a friend)
- Tớ nhớ cậu lắm. — I miss you so much. (to a friend)

In Saigon you say [bà](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ba-grandmother/#s_ba_you_friends).

In Saigon you say [ông](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ong-you-or-i/#s_ong_you_friends).

Level: A1 · Hà Nội only · familiar · to recognize

Grammar: [Casual I and you between friends: tui – ông / bà, tao – mày, tớ – cậu](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/tao-may/)

## 2. mother's younger brother (noun)

uncle

Your mother's younger brother; your father's younger brother is *chú*.

- Cậu tôi sống ở Cần Thơ. — My uncle lives in Cần Thơ.
- Saigon: Dạ, con chào cậu. | Hà Nội: Cháu chào cậu ạ. — Hello, uncle.

Level: A1

Previous: [cần](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/can-need/)
Next: [câu hỏi](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/cau-hoi/)

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