Question Marker 'à' — Vietnamese Grammar

The particle is placed at the very end of a sentence to turn a statement into a question. Unlike neutral questions that simply ask for unknown information, is used when the speaker already has an idea of the answer or wants to confirm a suspicion. It often translates to English tags like right?, is it?, or really?.

Seeking Confirmation

The most common use of is to verify something you believe to be true. You use this when you have observed something or heard something that leads you to a conclusion, and you want the listener to agree with you. It implies that the speaker expects a "yes" answer.

Em mệt à?
Are you tired? (I see that you look tired)
Hôm nay trời mưa à?
Is it raining today? (I see wet umbrellas)
Bạn là người Mỹ à?
Are you American? (I heard your accent)

Expressing Surprise

When you encounter unexpected information, functions as an exclamation of surprise mixed with a question. In this context, the speaker is not just asking for facts but is reacting emotionally to new information. It is similar to saying Oh, really? or Is that so? in English.

Hết vé rồi à?
The tickets are sold out already? (I expected them to be available)
Anh không ăn cay được à?
You can't eat spicy food? (I thought you could)
Bây giờ là 10 giờ rồi à?
Is it 10 o'clock already? (Time passed quickly)

Calling Someone's Name

Aside from asking questions, can be attached to a person's name to call their attention or greet them. This is strictly used for people of the same age, close friends, or people younger/lower in status than the speaker. It adds a natural, affectionate, or calling tone.

Note: Do not use this with elders or people of higher status, as it can sound disrespectful.

Lan à!
Lan! (Calling her attention)
Con à.
Son/Daughter. (Affectionate way to address a child)

Tone and Placement

This particle is always sentence-final. It cannot be moved to the beginning or middle of the sentence. In speech, the intonation usually falls or stays low when seeking confirmation, but may rise slightly if the speaker is genuinely surprised.

Đây là nhà của bạn à?
Is this your house?
Cậu đùa tớ à?
Are you kidding me?

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