của ấy
Definition
- Pronoun:
- That person, that one: An informal or slang pronoun used to refer to a third person, typically when the speaker does not want to name the person directly or when the context is casual. It can be used for both males and females, though it may carry a slightly dismissive or secretive tone. The meaning is similar to "that guy" or "that girl" in English.
Usage Examples
- Pronoun:
- Của ấy vừa mới đi ra ngoài. (That person just went out.)
- Đừng nói chuyện với của ấy. (Don't talk to that one.)
Advanced Usage
- "Của ấy" is primarily used in spoken Vietnamese and informal contexts. It is not considered standard or polite for formal writing or speech. Its usage often implies a degree of distance, secrecy, or casual reference to someone who may not be present or is being discussed indirectly.
Variants and Related Words
- Người ấy (Pronoun): That person. A more standard and neutral term.
- Người ấy rất tử tế. (That person is very kind.)
- Anh ấy (Pronoun): He/him.
- Cô ấy (Pronoun): She/her.
- Thằng ấy (Pronoun, informal/slang): That guy (male). More colloquial and potentially derogatory.
- Con ấy (Pronoun, informal/slang): That girl (female). More colloquial and potentially derogatory.
Synonyms
- Hắn (Pronoun): He/him (often used in literature or with a negative connotation).
- Người đó (Pronoun): That person.
Related Phrases
- Đồ của ấy (Phrase): That person's stuff/thing. This phrase uses "của ấy" in a possessive structure.
- Đây là đồ của ấy. (This is that person's thing.)