Definition

1. Pronoun:
   • They; them: A third-person plural pronoun used to refer to a group of people or things. It is often used in informal, familiar, or colloquial contexts. Historically and in some specific contexts, it can imply that the speaker views the subjects as inferiors or holds them in contempt.

Usage

• As a subject (They): Used to refer to a group as the subject of a sentence.
• As an object (Them): Used to refer to a group as the object of a verb or preposition.
• Register: Primarily used in informal speech. In formal or neutral contexts, "họ" is the standard, polite pronoun for "they/them." The use of "chúng nó" can sometimes carry a derogatory or dismissive nuance, especially when referring to people.

Usage Examples

• As a subject:
  • Chúng nó đang đá bóng. (They are playing soccer.)
  • Chúng nó sẽ đến vào ngày mai. (They will arrive tomorrow.)
• As an object:
  • Tôi đã gặp chúng nó hôm qua. (I met them yesterday.)
  • Đừng nói chuyện với chúng nó. (Don't talk to them.)

Advanced Usage

• Derogatory/Contemptuous Nuance: When used to refer to people (especially adults), it can express the speaker's disdain, disrespect, or a sense of superiority.
  • Thật đáng kiếp chúng nó! (They really deserve it! / Serves them right!)
  • Đừng tin chúng nó. (Don't trust them [implying they are untrustworthy].)
• Neutral/Familiar Reference: When referring to children, animals, or inanimate objects in a familiar setting, the contemptuous nuance may be absent or very weak.
  • Con cái còn dại thì phải dạy bảo chúng nó. (Children are still naive, so you must teach them.)

Variants and Related Words

• Họ: The standard, neutral, and polite third-person plural pronoun for "they/them." Use this in formal writing and polite conversation.
• Chúng: A third-person plural pronoun often used for animals, objects, or children. It can also be combined with other words (like "chúng nó," "chúng tôi" - we [excluding listener], "chúng ta" - we [including listener]).
• Bọn nó: A very informal and often derogatory synonym for "chúng nó," frequently used in Northern Vietnamese dialects.

Synonyms

• Họ: They/them (neutral, polite).
• Bọn nó: They/them (informal, often derogatory).
• Chúng: They/them (often for non-human subjects or children).

Related Phrases / Idioms

(Note: "Chúng nó" itself is not typically part of fixed idioms. Its use is situational, deriving its meaning from context.) - The nuance often comes from the sentence tone and context rather than a specific phrase. For example, saying "Mặc kệ chúng nó" (Ignore them/Leave them be) can range from neutral advice to a dismissive command depending on the speaker's attitude.

1. They; them