hay là

Level ≈A2 (approx.) conjunction Top 1,000 most common

Hanoi [haj˧˧ laː˨˩]Huế [haj˧˧ laː˦˩]Saigon [ha(ː)j˧˧ laː˨˩] browser voice

Syllables · tones

haylevelngang làfallinghuyền

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

hay là means represents an alternative theory.

Meanings of hay là in English

Conjunction

represents an alternative theory, option or solution in an interrogative form ≈ hay
- Hay (là) nó bị tai nạn ?Maybe he had an accident?
- Hay (là) mày gọi sếp mày xem thế nào ?How about you call your boss, maybe he could help?

Example sentences with hay là

Hay là chúng ta ly hôn đi. Let's get divorced.
Bạn là Tafsut hay là Tifyur vậy? Are you Tafsut or Tifyur?
Bạn là Tafsut hay là Tifyur? Are you Tafsut or Tifyur?
Bạn là giáo viên hay là học sinh? Are you a teacher or a student?
Hay là chúng ta hỏi ai đó xem sao? Why don't we ask somebody?
Bạn nấu ăn bằng ga hay là bằng điện? Do you cook by gas or electricity?
Sách của bạn hay là mượn thư viện vậy? Is that a library book or is it your own copy?
Hay là bọn mình hỏi ai đó xem thế nào? Why don't we ask somebody?

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

Etymology

hay (“or”) + là (“to be”).

Frequently asked questions

What does hay là mean in English?

hay là (conjunction) means "represents an alternative theory".

How do you pronounce hay là?

IPA: Hanoi [haj˧˧ laː˨˩]; Saigon [ha(ː)j˧˧ laː˨˩]. Tones: hay — level tone (ngang), là — falling tone (huyền).

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.