à

/aː/
particleIntermediate
informal

A particle used to indicate a question or to soften a statement, similar to 'right?' or 'is that so?' in English.

À, anh có đi học không?

Right, are you going to school?

À, anh ấy đã về chưa?

Is that so? Has he come back?

💡

This particle is often used in casual conversations to seek confirmation or express mild surprise.

informal

A particle used to express doubt or uncertainty, similar to 'I wonder' or 'maybe' in English.

À, anh có thể giúp em không?

I wonder if you can help me?

À, em có thể đi được không?

Maybe I can go?

💡

This usage is common in spoken Vietnamese to soften a request or question.

Collocations

à khôngor notà saohow come

Synonyms

Related Phrases

à khôngphrase
or not
à saophrase
how come

💡Pro Tip

Usage in Questions

The particle 'à' is often used at the end of a question to make it sound more polite or casual.

Gold Rule

Softening Tone

Using 'à' can soften the tone of a statement or question, making it less direct.

📖Word Origin

Derived from the Vietnamese particle system, used to convey tone and intent in spoken language.

📝Usage Notes

This particle is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese and is less common in formal writing.

Word Breakdown

à
particle indicating a question or doubt
particle
Noted on May 2, 2026VIEN