Hi guys! Long time no see. Update on me: I’m done applying to colleges!! After a long time of procrastinating on this topic (lol), I finally got it together and made a post on pronouns. This post was so difficult to make because of the endless pronouns used in Vietnamese. As always, if I left anything out or if any information is wrong, feel free to inform me! Thank you so much for supporting me <3
Referring to yourself (I), gender-neutral:
Tôi (Formal, unfamiliar, professional, pairs with Bạn): You use this in a formal and professional setting where you’re unfamiliar with the person you’re talking to. You shouldn’t prefer to yourself as tôi when talking to someone older/superior to you. People typically use this pronoun to prefer to themselves when their audience is unknown (like in novels/essays) or when they’re talking to a big crowd, especially if the crowd consists of different genders and age groups.
Ta (Old language, pairs with Ngươi/Mi): It is used by superior to subordinate (like between a King and his servant, lol don’t use it guys). It is sometimes used by the speaker which includes themselves with the person being addressed if they’re familiar with each other.
Tao (Informal, mostly familiar, pairs with Mày): Extremely informal, street language. Typically used between close friends or in a vulgar manner against those you dislike. Sometimes is used by superior to subordinate but not in a professional setting.
Tớ/Mình (Neutral regarding fimiliarity and formality, pairs with Cậu/Bạn): Use when talking to friends or someone who’s the same age as you because these pronouns are not too informal nor are they formal. In my opinion, tớ is the “innocent” pronoun because I honestly can’t remember using it past 2nd grade. In my experience, mình is a more widely used one so when in doubt, use mình.
Tui (Neutral regarding familiarity, no gender-neutral pairing although Cậu would work but it sounds unatural): Use when talking to friends or someone who’s the same age as you. It is typically used among friends and mostly between people of the same age. Regarding formality, it is leaning towards informal though not rude.
Referring to the listener (you), singular, gender-neutral:
Bạn (Pairs with Tôi, also works with Tớ/Mình): Formality and professional level depends on the I form it is being used with. It is pretty uncommon because it’s an awkward way to call someone.
Ngươi/Mi (Old language, pairs with Ta): It is what the superiors used to prefer to their subordinates to look down on them.
Mày (Informal, mostly familiar, pairs with Tao): Extremely informal, street language. Typically used between close friends or in a vulgar manner against those you dislike to look down on them.
Cậu (Neutral regarding fimiliarity and formality, pairs with Tớ/Mình): Use when talking to friends or someone who’s the same age as you because this pronoun is not too informal nor are they formal.
