Inclusive vs. Exclusive 'we'

01

Formal Standard Forms

In formal situations, writing, or standard speech, the plural marker chúng is combined with pronouns to create "we".

Exclusive We: chúng tôi

This means "we, the speakers, but not you, the listener." You use this when telling someone about a group you belong to that they are not part of.

• Chúng tôi là người Mỹ.

  We are Americans (and you are not).

• Chúng tôi thích phở.

  We like pho (telling someone about our preference).

Inclusive We: chúng ta

This means "we, everyone here, including you." You use this when making suggestions to the group or stating facts that apply to everyone present.

• Chúng ta đi thôi.

  Let's go (all of us).

• Chúng ta là bạn.

  We are friends (you and I).

02

Spoken Southern Forms

In the Southern dialect (Saigon), chúng tôi and chúng ta can sound quite formal or distant. In daily conversation, Southerners prefer using the plural marker tụi combined with familiar pronouns.

Exclusive We: tụi tui

This is the colloquial Southern equivalent of chúng tôi. It combines tụi (group) + tui (the Southern pronunciation of "I"). It excludes the listener.

• Tụi tui đang đói bụng.

  We are hungry (telling the listener).

• Tụi tui không biết.

  We don't know.

Inclusive We: tụi mình

This is the colloquial Southern equivalent of chúng ta. It combines tụi (group) + mình (self/one's self). It includes the listener and creates a sense of closeness.

• Tụi mình đi ăn đi.

  Let's go eat (you and I).

• Tụi mình coi phim nha?

  Shall we watch a movie?

03

Using 'Mình' as 'We'

The word mình literally means "body" or "self," but it is frequently used alone to mean an inclusive "we" in casual Southern speech. It implies a close relationship between the speaker and the listener.

• Mình về nhà thôi.

  Let's go home (we go home).

• Mình đi đâu đây?

  Where are we going?