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hả

Level ≈A2 (approx.) particleinterjectionadjective Top 1,000 most common
Hanoi [haː˧˩]Huế [haː˧˨]Saigon [haː˨˩˦] browser voice
Syllables · tones
hảdippinghỏi

Each syllable carries one of six tones; the mark on the vowel tells you which. How the six tones sound →

hả means interrogative particle: isn't it; aren't you.

Meanings of hả in English

Particle

  1. interrogative particle: isn't it; aren't you ...

Interjection

  1. what; come again

Adjective

  1. having one's wishes fulfilled; contented; very satisfied

Verb

  1. to lose flavour, scent, etc. from evaporation; to taste flat

Verb

  1. Central Vietnam, Southern Vietnam to open (one's mouth) ≈ há

Words with hả

hả dạhả hê

Example sentences with hả

  • Ý cậu là cậu không biết hả?! What do you mean you don't know?!
  • Nhìn tôi giống khủng bố lắm hả? Do I look like a terrorist?
  • Bạn dùng hết bơ rồi hả? You've run through all the butter?
  • Xe buýt này tới Boston hả? Is this the bus for Boston?
  • Ồ, bạn vắt sữa bò như thế hả? Oh, is that the way you milk a cow?
  • Đây là đồ trược tuyết của bạn hả? Are these your skis?
  • Mày đã ngừng đánh vợ mày rồi hả ? Have you stopped beating your wife?
  • Ở gần đây hả? Is it near here?

Bilingual example sentences from Tatoeba (tatoeba.org, CC BY 2.0 FR).

Historical script (chữ Nôm / Hán)

Before the Latin alphabet (chữ Quốc ngữ) became standard, hả could be written as 呵, 𪫧, 𪵤. Today Vietnamese is written only in the Latin alphabet.

Usage note: hả

hả turns a statement into a question that asks for confirmation, often with surprise. It is casual.

  • Anh đi bây giờ hả? — You're leaving now?
  • Cái này của em hả? — This is yours?
  • Hả? — Huh? / What? (didn't hear)

It is close to à, but hả sounds more direct and can be abrupt. Used alone to an older person, Hả? is impolite. Better: Dạ? Anh nói gì ạ? — Sorry? What did you say?

In the South you will also hear hở and hả in the same role: Đi đâu đó hở? — Where are you off to?

When scolding, hả makes a question sharper: Mấy giờ rồi hả? — Do you know what time it is?!

Tip for learners: until you can hear the nuance, à + ạ is the safest way to check: Anh đi bây giờ à?

Frequently asked questions

What does hả mean in English?

hả (particle) means "interrogative particle: isn't it; aren't you".

How do you pronounce hả?

IPA: Hanoi [haː˧˩]; Saigon [haː˨˩˦]. Tones: hả — dipping tone (hỏi).

Meanings, pronunciation and etymology from English Wiktionary (wiktionary.org, via kaikki.org; CC BY-SA 4.0), reviewed and edited; example sentences from Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR). IPA shown for three accents: Hanoi (Northern), Huế (Central) and Saigon (Southern). The Listen button uses your browser's Vietnamese voice, for reference only. Levels are approximate, estimated from word frequency. Spotted a mistake? Let NgonNgu know.