# ơi meaning in Vietnamese: hey (A1)

> ơi means “hey” in Vietnamese. Examples with audio, in Northern and Southern wording.

Source: https://vietnamesebuddy.com/words/oi-hey/ · Updated 2026-10-31

**ơi**: calling someone

Level: A1 (our estimate)

Typed without accents: oi

## 1. calling someone (particle)

hey

After a name or a word for a person, to call them: *Lan ơi!*, *Em ơi!* This is how you call someone, or a waiter.

- Saigon: Em ơi, cho chị ly trà đá. | Hà Nội: Em ơi, cho chị cốc trà đá. — Excuse me, a glass of iced tea, please.
- Mẹ ơi, con về rồi! — Mom, I'm home!

Grammar: [Calling someone: name + ơi](https://vietnamesebuddy.com/grammar/oi-calling/)

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