# hay meaning in Vietnamese: or (A1)

> hay means “or” in Vietnamese. It can also mean often, interesting. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/hay-or/ · Updated 2026-10-31

**hay**: or · often · interesting

Level: A1 (our estimate)

## 1. or (conjunction)

In questions: the choice itself makes it a question, so there's no *không* at the end.

- Saigon: Em ăn ở đây hay mang về? | Hà Nội: Em ăn ở đây hay mang đi? — For here or to go?
- Chị là người Úc hay người Anh? — Are you Australian or British?

Level: A1

Grammar: [Or in questions: A hay B?](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/hay-or-question/)

## 2. often (adverb)

often, usually, tend to

Before the verb. *Có hay … không?* asks whether someone does it often.

- Buổi sáng anh hay uống cà phê. — I usually have coffee in the morning.
- Chị có hay về quê không? — Do you often go back to your hometown?

Level: A2

Grammar: [Often: hay before the verb, and có hay … không?](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/hay-often/)

## 3. interesting (adjective)

good, interesting

For films, books, songs and ideas. Good food is *ngon*, not *hay*.

- Phim này hay quá! — This movie is so good!
- Cuốn sách đó hay không? — Is that book any good?

Level: A1

Previous: [hành](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/hanh-spring-onion/)
Next: [hăm](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/ham-twenty/)

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