hay quá
Definition
Interjection:
- How interesting! / How great!: An exclamation expressing strong positive reaction, typically to something found to be very interesting, excellent, or impressive.
- That's so good! / That's awesome!: A common spoken expression of excitement, approval, or delight regarding an idea, story, performance, or piece of news.
Adjective Phrase (in exclamatory sentences):
- So interesting / So excellent: Used to state that something is of exceptionally high quality or is remarkably engaging. The word "quá" intensifies the adjective "hay."
Usage Examples
Interjection:
- Ý tưởng này hay quá! (This idea is so great!)
- "Chúng tôi đã thắng giải nhất." — "Hay quá!" ("We won first prize." — "That's awesome!")
Adjective Phrase:
- Bộ phim mới hay quá. (The new movie is so interesting/excellent.)
- Bài hát đó hay quá. (That song is so good.)
Advanced Usage
- The phrase can be used in various informal contexts to express enthusiastic agreement or to compliment someone's suggestion, work, or story.
- It often carries a tone of pleasant surprise or discovery.
Variants and Related Words
Hay (adj): good, interesting, excellent.
- Một cuốn sách hay. (A good book.)
Tuyệt quá (interj): Amazing! / Fantastic! (Often stronger than "hay quá").
- Cảnh quan ở đây tuyệt quá! (The scenery here is fantastic!)
Synonyms
- Excellent!: of the highest quality.
- Great!: very good or pleasing.
- Interesting!: arousing curiosity or holding attention.
- Awesome!: extremely impressive.
Related Idioms
- Hay hết chỗ nói: Literally "so good there's no place to talk," meaning indescribably excellent or wonderful.
- Màn trình diễn ấy hay hết chỗ nói. (That performance was indescribably wonderful.)