# kẻo meaning in Vietnamese: or else (A2)

> kẻo means “or else, otherwise” in Vietnamese. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/keo-otherwise/ · Updated 2026-10-18

**kẻo**: otherwise

Level: A2 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: keo

## 1. otherwise (conjunction)

or else, otherwise, or

Always followed by something to avoid. In everyday Saigon speech, *không thôi* or *không thì* are more common.

- Saigon: Đi nhanh lên, kẻo trễ. | Hà Nội: Đi nhanh lên, kẻo muộn. — Hurry up, or we'll be late.
- Ăn đi con, kẻo nguội. — Eat up before it gets cold.

Grammar: [Or else: kẻo](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/keo-or-else/)

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