đây

Meanings

Highlighted words are what Saigon and Hà Nội say differently.

1. this, here

   pronoun

   Starts the sentence: Đây là …, this is …. After a noun, 'this' is này.

   • Đây là bạn em, Lan.

     This is my friend Lan.

   • Em ở đây.

     I'm here.

   A1

2. I'm off now

   particle

   At the end of a sentence, đây ties it to this very moment. Most often you say it as you leave: Em về đây, I'm off now. At the end of a question it shows you're wondering what to do next: Làm sao đây?, what do I do now?

   • Saigon

     Trễ rồi, chị về đây.

     Hà Nội

     Muộn rồi, chị về đây.

     It's late, I'm off now.

   • Hết tiền rồi, giờ làm sao đây?

     I've run out of money, what do I do now?

   A2Grammar: I'm off now, what now? … đây at the end