thôi

Meanings

Highlighted words are what Saigon and Hà Nội say differently.

1. only

   particle

   only, just

   At the very end, often with chỉ before the verb. In shops: Một cái thôi, just one.

   • Saigon

     Dạ, em coi thôi.

     Hà Nội

     Vâng, em xem thôi.

     I'm just looking.

   • Saigon

     Em uống một ly thôi.

     Hà Nội

     Em uống một cốc thôi.

     I'll just have one drink.

   A1Grammar: Only: chỉ … thôi

2. enough

   interjection

   that's enough, never mind, no thanks

   At the start or on its own it closes something down. At the end of a sentence, thôi means 'only'.

   • Thôi, mình về nha.

     Right, let's head home.

   • Thôi, không sao.

     Never mind, it's fine.

   A2Grammar: That's enough, never mind: Thôi!