If you’ve ever scratched your head trying to figure out cái này, cái đó, and cái kia, don’t worry—you’re not alone. But I promise it’s much easier than it seems. Let’s break it down the lazy way (because smart people don’t waste energy, right? 😏)
💡 First, What Do They All Mean?
All three mean “this” or “that” depending on how far the object is from the speaker and listener.
| Vietnamese | Meaning | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| cái này | This one (near me) | this |
| cái đó | That one (near you) | that |
| cái kia | That one over there (far from both) | that over there |
📍 Think of It Like This:
Imagine you and your friend are shopping at a market.
- You point at the phone in your hand:
👉 “Cái này rẻ.” → This one is cheap. - You point at the phone your friend is holding:
👉 “Cái đó đẹp.” → That one is beautiful. - You both look at a phone on the table far away:
👉 “Cái kia mắc quá!” → That one over there is too expensive!
🎯 Pro Tips:
- “Cái” is just a classifier for most objects or things. You can swap it depending on what you’re talking about:
- Con này (this animal)
- Chiếc đó (that vehicle)
- Người kia (that person over there)
- Want to sound even more natural? Point + say the word = 100% success.
🧠 TL;DR for Lazy Learners:
| Word | Use When… | Example |
|---|---|---|
| cái này | It’s near you | Cái này ngon. (This is tasty.) |
| cái đó | It’s near them | Cái đó lạ. (That’s strange.) |
| cái kia | It’s far from everyone | Cái kia to. (That one is big.) |
🐣 Final Tip from Lintu Guru:
Don’t try to memorize—imagine the scene. Vietnamese is all about context and vibe. Use your finger to point, smile, and say it. Your brain (and your crush) will thank you. 😉
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