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à sao
/aː ˈsao/
oh, why?
Bạn vừa nói gì? à sao?
What did you just say? Oh, why?
informal
Used to ask for the reason or cause of something just mentioned, expressing mild surprise.
Anh vừa rời đi? à sao?
You just left? Oh, why?
Often spoken with a rising intonation at the end.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Intonation
Raise your pitch at the end of "à sao" to convey genuine curiosity rather than sarcasm.
Word Origin
Combines the interjection "à" (expressing surprise or attention) with the interrogative "sao" (why). The phrase emerged in colloquial Vietnamese as a quick way to request clarification.
Usage Notes
Common in everyday conversation, especially among younger speakers. Usually followed by a brief explanation or answer.
Từ Điển Việt Anh