Definition

1. Personal pronoun (Đại từ nhân xưng):
   • We, us (exclusive): "Chúng tôi" is the first-person plural pronoun used by the speaker(s) to refer to themselves and others, explicitly excluding the person(s) being addressed (the listener(s)). It is the exclusive "we".

Usage Instructions

• Function: Used as the subject or object in a sentence.
• Context: Use "chúng tôi" when you (the speaker) are talking about yourself and your group, but the person you are speaking to is not part of that group. It creates a distinction between "us" (the speakers) and "you" (the listeners).
• Formality: It is a standard, neutral pronoun used in both formal and informal contexts.

Usage Examples

• As Subject:
  • Chúng tôi là sinh viên. (We are students. [The listeners are not students in this group].)
  • Chúng tôi sẽ đến vào ngày mai. (We will arrive tomorrow. [The listeners are not among those arriving].)
• As Object:
  • Họ đã mời chúng tôi. (They invited us. [The listeners were not invited].)
  • Anh ấy giúp đỡ chúng tôi. (He helps us. [He helps the speaker's group, not the listener's group].)

Advanced Usage / Nuances

• Exclusivity vs. Inclusivity: The key distinction in Vietnamese is between "chúng tôi" (exclusive we) and "chúng ta" (inclusive we, which includes the listener). Choosing the correct pronoun is essential for clear communication.
  • Chúng tôi đi ăn nhé? (Incorrect if inviting the listener. This sounds like "Shall we [my group, not you] go eat?")
  • Chúng ta đi ăn nhé? (Correct for an invitation: "Shall we [including you] go eat?")
• Formal Writing: "Chúng tôi" is commonly used in formal documents, speeches, or articles to represent the author(s) or the organization addressing the reader(s).
  • Trong bài báo này, chúng tôi phân tích ba nguyên nhân chính. (In this article, we analyze three main causes.)

Variants and Related Words

• Tôi: "I", the singular first-person pronoun. "Chúng tôi" is its plural, exclusive form.
• Chúng ta: First-person plural pronoun, inclusive (includes the listener(s)). Meaning "we/us (including you)".
• Chúng mình: A more casual and intimate first-person plural pronoun, usually inclusive. Similar to "chúng ta" but used among close friends or peers.
• Chúng em: First-person plural pronoun used by younger speakers or those of lower status to address elders. It is exclusive (the elders being addressed are not part of "chúng em").

Synonyms

• Bọn tôi: A more colloquial synonym for "chúng tôi". It carries a slightly more informal, group-oriented nuance but still means the exclusive "we/us".
  • Bọn tôi vừa mới về. (We just got back.)

Related Phrases / Idioms

• (Không có thành ngữ hoặc cụm động từ phổ biến nào sử dụng riêng với đại từ "chúng tôi". Các thành ngữ thường sử dụng đại từ chung như "chúng ta" hoặc không xác định chủ thể.)

1. We, us (not including person addressed)