Definition

Interjection: - Come on!; Let's go!; Go on!: A word used to call out to, remind, or urge someone to do something, often to encourage them to start moving or to hurry up. It expresses a gentle or informal prompting.

Usage Examples

• Interjection:
  • Ề! Đi đi chớ, trễ rồi. (Come on! Let's go, we're late.)
  • Ề! Vào đây ngay đi. (Come along! Get in here right now.)
  • Nó cứ ngồi đó, tôi phải nói: "Ề! Làm đi chứ!". (He just sat there, so I had to say: "Hey! Get on with it!")

Advanced Usage

• "Ề" as a standalone prompt: Often used at the beginning of an imperative sentence to add a tone of urging or encouragement. It softens the command, making it sound more like a nudge than a harsh order.
  • Ề, đừng có rụt rè! (Come on, don't be shy!)

Variants and Related Words

• Nào: Also means "come on" or "let's," but is more versatile and can be used in positive suggestions (e.g., - Let's go!).
• Đi: The core imperative verb meaning "go." "Ề" is often paired with "đi" for added emphasis (e.g., ).
• Thôi: Can mean "come on" in the sense of urging someone to stop hesitating or to accept something (e.g., - Come on, let's go home).

Synonyms

• Nhanh lên: Hurry up.
• Đi nào: Let's go.

Notes on Meaning

• Tone: The word "ề" carries a colloquial and familiar tone. It is not used in formal writing or speech.
• Function: Its primary function is pragmatic—to get someone's attention and spur them into action. It does not have a direct equivalent as a single word in English; translations like "come on" or "hey" capture its function depending on context.

1. Come along!
   • ề đi đi chứ!
     Come along! Off with you!